The threat of losing everything to a fire has long been an issue in Bangladesh, with stories of fires breaking out being reported in the news on a near daily basis. This is the result of fire safety policies which are almost never enforced, however the blame can almost never be placed on our fire services who, despite the threat, almost always carry out their duties with the dedication it requires.
It is heartening to know then that the interim government is taking the important step of establishing fire service stations in at least 32 upazilas across the nation. Given the sheer frequency with which fires break out, bolstering our fire services is absolutely the right move, and we agree with the incumbent home adviser that the recruitment process needs to give priority to skilled, competent, and young candidates, since working in the firefighting service requires more physical strength compared to others.
As a publication, we have long editorialized on the need for the administration of the day to take fire safety more seriously, especially in our urban and industrial centres. Earlier this year, the nation witnessed the horrific incident of a major fire breaking out in the capital’s Bailey Road area which led to nearly 50 people losing their lives -- the entire tragedy was the result of administrative ineptitude and corruption on the part of the building owners.
This is the root cause of our unhealthy relationship with fire, until and unless the regulatory bodies enforce strict building codes with respect to safety and security, Bangladesh will continue to burn. However, in the here and now, a robust, expanded fire service will be equally instrumental to stop that from happening.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
