ED: These fires cannot keep happening

It is extremely unfortunate that, once again, a fire has ravaged property in Dhaka, destroying hundreds of shops and homes at the Sattola Bosti (slum) in Mohakhali.

While there have been no reported fatalities yet, let that not detract from the point at hand, that fires continue to be a major problem for the citizens of this city. They have become so commonplace that there is little to no alarm raised now when a new one breaks out.

This is an extremely sad affair, and is not the sort of normalcy that we should be getting used to.

For the fire in Mohakhali, it is important to get all the facts right before drawing any strong conclusions; a thorough investigation is needed to get to the bottom of the issue, and understand why such a massive fire broke out in the first place.

Furthermore, it is also important to understand just why fires are so common and why we keep seeing them again and again. Neglect has often been touted as a key factor for plenty of problems in our country, but when lives and livelihoods are at stake, to mention that people were negligent cannot be tolerated as a justifiable excuse.

Another side to the problem at hand remains the woeful conditions that a large section of our population continue to live in and are forced to call their home. These accommodations are nothing but tinderboxes, inviting the next fire tragedy.

We may be progressing as a country, but issues such as this will continue to hold us back.