The number of fires has increased more than threefold across Bangladesh since 1997; with the year 2018 seeing a daily average of 53.
Fire Service and Civil Defence statistics showed that around 250,000 fires occurred in the country between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2018, according to the online database Dataful.
These fires also caused an estimated financial loss of around Tk6,400 crore to the nation.
At least 1,970 people were killed in around 200,000 fires across the country between 2004 and 2018, according to available fire service data.
Urban experts attribute the sharp rise in fires to unplanned urbanization, the violation of rules for constructing buildings, carelessness among the public, increased use of gas cylinders and devices, plus a lack of supervision by the authorities concerned.
Last year saw the highest number of fires: of 19,642. However, the highest number of casualties —365 dead and 1,385 injured—was recorded in 2011.
In terms of financial losses, 2015 was the deadliest year as the country suffered a loss of an estimated Tk850 crore in 17,488 fires.
According to fire service data, around 5,802 fires occurred in 1997, but these increased more than threefold over the years.
However, the number of casualties has been dropping over the last few years; except in 2018.
In 2006, 9,542 fires killed 91 people and injured 873 more. Seventy people were killed and 210 others were injured in 17,830 fires in 2014; while 68 died and 216 were injured in 17,488 fires in 2015.
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The following year, 52 people were killed and 247 injured in 16,858 fires, while 45 people killed and 269 injured in 18,105 fires the following year.
However, the number of casualties marked a sharp rise last year as 130 people were killed and 664 were injured in 19,642 fires.
When contacted, urban planning expert and former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said: “Usually fires are triggered by an electric short-circuit, gas and other burners, cigarettes, gas cylinders, technological devices, inflammable objects, or chemicals.
“Sometimes, miscreants set fire to houses or shops—and other establishments—out of animosity."
In many cases, the public's callousness and lack of awareness are responsible for fires. Public awareness can significantly reduce the number of fires, he added.
Prof Nazrul said electric equipment should be inspected periodically to decrease the chances of fire.
"If we remain alert about small, but crucial, issues, the situation will improve substantially," he said.
He said the use of gas cylinders in vehicles, houses, and restaurants has now become a major worry and the government should increase its monitoring in this regard to tackle the problem.
The urban expert said the government will have to intensify its disaster management and prevention activities in urban areas—as well as launch a countrywide campaign—to raise awareness about the causes of fire.
Iqbal Habib, an urban expert and architect, said the number of fires marked a gradual rise for three major reasons in Bangladesh population density and unsafe house construction; unplanned and unsafe urbanisation; and increasing use of technology without proper knowledge of its usage.
Additionally, a lack of awareness among the people, a lack of monitoring by the authorities concerned, a lack of the enforcement of laws, the storing and use of inflammable chemicals in an unsafe way, and the weakness of city governance are other reasons behind the increase in fires, he noted.
To reduce the number of fires, Habib said massive and repeated awareness campaigns must be conducted, involving political parties and NGOs.
“Improving the city governance skills, strict enforcement of laws and rules and regulations, making people aware about urban life and the use of technology, increasing the capacity of the fire department, and creating trained civilian manpower to provide services, in case of any fire, are also necessary," he said.
Habib said the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse brought about a huge change in public attitude about safety; and the fire service also increased their capabilities. This led to a decrease in casualties from fires in subsequent years.
"However, things are worsening now, again, amid the apathy of the authorities concerned," he added.
