In the bustling streets of Dhaka, as shoppers hurry to grab iftar and return home to their families, a sense of unease lingers following the tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of 46 people just 21 days ago. The incident, which occurred at the Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road, has sparked concerns about fire safety measures in the city.
Abrar Hossain Kanak, a resident of the area, recounted his recent visit to the Capital Iftar Bazaar on Bailey Road. Clutching his 3-year-old child close, Kanak spoke of his routine visits to the Iftar market during Ramadan, despite the recent tragedy.
"I have been in this area for eight years and have never seen a fire like this before," he shared with Dhaka Tribune. "After this incident, I did not come here for some time; I was very afraid. But this iftar bazaar food is loved by everyone in my family."
Kanak's sentiments echo those of many residents who frequent the bustling market during the holy month. Despite the lingering fear, the allure of traditional Iftar delicacies remains strong, drawing crowds to the market.
However, amidst the bustling activity, concerns about fire safety have come to the forefront. A salesman at the Iftar market, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the longstanding presence of the market in the basement of the Capital Siraj Centre building.
"This Iftar market has been in the basement of this building for the last 12 years," he said. "There is a huge crowd every year during Ramadan. But this year, eight days have passed and there are not many buyers."
The decline in customers may be attributed to heightened concerns about safety in the wake of the recent fire tragedy. Rokshana Rahman, another resident of Bailey Road area, expressed apprehension upon noticing the high voltage power connections near the market.
"This made me wonder if it was safe to come here," she admitted. "After the terrible fire in the neighbouring building, many people were afraid."
Despite these concerns, Tahmidur Rahman, manager of Capital Iftar Bazaar, assured patrons of the safety measures in place.
"We have fire safety measures in place. There are six exits in this basement," he reassured. "If a fire occurs in this iftar bazaar, we have facilities to tackle it."
However, questions linger regarding the adequacy of fire safety protocols in commercial buildings across Dhaka.
Khandoker Abdul Jalil, deputy assistant director (training) of Fire Service & Civil Defence, highlighted the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of fire extinguishers. "Fire extinguisher machines have a one-year lifespan," he said. "After the expiration date, the medicine inside is no longer effective. Its pressure also decreases."
Despite these warnings, concerns persist about the maintenance and usability of fire extinguishers in many establishments. An employee at a nearby cake shop admitted to the lack of knowledge about fire safety measures.
"The fire extinguishers that we have in our store are old," he confessed. "We have never used these, nor do we know how to operate them."
Similar sentiments were echoed by a shop owner at “Burger On,” who said he relied on the absence of stoves and gas cylinders in the shop for safety.
In response to these concerns, Md Saleh Uddin, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Dhaka Division, said monitoring efforts are ongoing .
"Our monitoring activities are ongoing throughout the year," he assured. "Steps will be taken accordingly. Where there is no fire safety system, we will close them."
He said their activities are hampered by a lack of manpower, but the Fire Service will never stop conducting drives to ensure fire safety.
