Whenever a significant fire was reported in Bangladesh, multiple government agencies typically initiated raids in response.
However, as time passes, the frequency of raids decreases, and eventually, there may be a point where the outcome becomes unclear or unknown.
A similar situation took place after the Bailey Road fire that killed 46 people on February 29.
After the fire, concerns arose regarding the absence of fire safety measures at the Green Cozy Cottage building.
In an effort to combat irregularities and corruption, the city corporations, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) collectively raided several markets and buildings in the capital in the following week.
They sealed off several establishments, imposed fines, and arrested people for flouting safety rules.
However, currently, there seems to be no further action taken regarding the matter, despite several other fires being reported in the capital in the last couple of days.
What officials think
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Property Officer Kaiser Mohammad Farabi said: We have raided buildings that were prone to fire after the Bailey Road incident. However, due to a shortage of magistrates, we are unable to raid more buildings or institutions that require attention.”
Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Faruk Hossain said the Bailey Road fire was a tragic incident.
“Following the incident, DMP, Rajuk and Dhaka City Corporation conducted raids on various restaurants in the capital. However, the primary responsibility lies with Rajuk and the city corporation. Rajuk approves building designs and oversees gas supply matters, while the police involvement in these matters is limited,” he said.
Former Fire Service and Civil Defence director (Operation) and disaster management specialist Major (retd) AKM Shakil emphasized that just initiating operations is insufficient.
He said that irregularities have persisted over an extended period and asked authorities to systematically bring the situation under control.
Recent fires
On Saturday, a chemical warehouse of a shoe factory was gutted in a fire that broke out in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area.
The fire broke out around 3:30am and engulfed the establishment, said Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense (Dhaka division) Saleh Uddin.
On information, nine firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 6am.
Again, another building caught on fire in the capital’s Dhanmondi 27 on Friday.
The fire broke out at around 4:44pm. The building is situated opposite of Rapa Plaza.
On Thursday, a fire erupted in a warehouse on the second floor of a three-storey building in Dhaka’s Demra.
The incident took place at around 11:30pm and 10 firefighting units managed to douse the blaze at 8am the following day.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Fire Service Incident Commander Lt Col Md Rezaul Karim said the building in the Bhanga Press area had become increasingly fragile, with a notable decline in its infrastructural integrity.
"A section of the roof has already collapsed, posing an imminent danger of further structural failure," he added.
