Who is responsible for the Bangabazar fire?

Every time there is a major fire, the authorities form several probe committees to investigate the incident. However, the probe reports of these committees rarely see the light of day.

The only information that is usually disclosed is the cause of the fire, which is most frequently an electrical short circuit or gas leak.

The authorities are also often quick to point out when buildings that caught fire had been warned beforehand. What option is there when building owners refuse to heed timely warnings?

The aftermath of the Bangabazar fire has been showing all the hallmarks of following a similar route to previous fire investigations. 

Dhaka Tribune

The Dhaka South City Corporation and the Fire Services have already formed separate probe committees. While the fire was still raging, Fire Services pointed out that the building owners had been sent 10 notices warning them that it was risky to continue living there.

Experts said building owners must take a portion of the blame for fires, but the authorities cannot avoid responsibility for the corruption, mismanagement, and lax enforcement demonstrated by their failing to prevent them.

According to several sources, the main government organizations involved in the lead-up to and aftermath of the fires are Fire Service and Civil Defence, Rajdhani Unnyan Katripakkha (Rajuk), city corporations, the Law Division, and Public Works Department.

Officials from the Fire Service said if anyone violated directives or did not implement guidelines after receiving notices, then the authorities concerned can cancel her/his business licence or take other action according to the law.

Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

“Rajuk should ensure that building designs are in line with the national code. It can withhold permissions over rule violations,” one official said.

He questioned why the stores were allowed to remain at Bangabazar after 2019.

The Public Works Department is also responsible, as it has a committee to check ownership and proper building designs. It needs to play its role according to the law, experts said.

There is no one individual or agency that is responsible. Everybody is responsible in any incident, the fire and legal experts added.

Legal expert Jyotirmoy Barua said lack of responsibility and accountability lead to incidents such as the Bangabazar fire.

Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence (Dhaka division) Dinmoni Sharma told Dhaka Tribune: “For violations of license terms and conditions, there is a provision of imprisonment for three years, fine and confiscation of goods in the existing law. The punishment has to be implemented through a magistrate or court. The Fire Services do not have magistracy powers.” 

Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

He said an application has to be filed in the district concerned for conducting the mobile court.

According to the Fire Service's 2018-19 annual report, several major fire incidents, including those at Churihatta, FR Tower, Gulshan DNCC kitchen market and Khilgaon kitchen market, took place between February and April 2019.

The Fire Services carried out a survey of 3,786 institutions and establishments and found 541 shopping complexes and markets very vulnerable to fire.