The probe report on the fire at a multistorey residential building in Dhaka's Gulshan on February 19 has found that the safety plan for the modern building was not implemented.
The probe committee formed by Fire Service and Civil Defence recently submitted the report to the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury is the head of the investigation committee.
The report identified several factors which contributed to the severity of the blaze.
It found that gas, electrical and AC lines at the building were all included in a single duct line. The building was also supposed to use non-flammable materials at several key points, but this was not done.
The building authorities also never conducted fire drills, and the hydrant point in the building did not have adequate water reserves.
When asked whether the safety plan has been implemented in the building now, members of the inquiry committee said a notice had been sent to the building owner even before the fire.
Officials from the Fire Service said notices have also been served to all other buildings in the area where safety measures were not implemented.
At least two people died, and a dozen others sustained injuries in the fire on February 19. The deceased had sustained injuries after jumping off the building in an attempt to escape the fire.
Twenty-two people were rescued alive from different floors and the roof of the building, named Zakir Musharraf Skyline.
Rajuk said the building had been constructed according to the rules.
Earlier, the Fire Service in its preliminary report said the building lacked a proper fire safety plan and did not have a fire extinguishing system either.
Besides, there was no safety licence. They took only a No-Objection Letter (NOC) from the Fire Service but did not prepare any fire safety plan as required under the rules.
