Expressing disappointment at an angry mob's attack on the fire service's headquarters, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brig Gen Md Main Uddin on Tuesday said though firefighters were trying to save lives and properties in the Bangabazar fire, people attacked and injured them.
People attacked the headquarters and injured four firefighters, said the DG.
"We work for the people. We sacrifice our lives for the people… but they attacked us,” he said while talking to reporters on the spot.
“In the last year, 13 firefighters sacrificed their lives… In any [disastrous] event, we are the first responders. So why are we attacked? Eight of our fire service personnel were injured in this fire... I do not understand why they attacked fire service officials."
In the last year, 29 fire service officials were also injured in the line of duty.
Main Uddin also said: “We are very sorry that we do not know the cause of the fire yet. The extent of the damage is not known. We have formed a five-member probe committee to investigate the incident. After the investigation, it will be possible to tell the cause of the fire and the amount of damage.”
An angry mob pelted bricks and stones at the head office of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, located on Kazi Alauddin Road in Old Dhaka on Tuesday at around 9:20am.
The incident occurred on the opposite side of the road from Bangabazar where a massive fire had broken out earlier that day.
Police tried to control the situation and fired tear gas at the mob. Eventually, they managed to disperse the crowd.
However, despite being told that the fire service is the national wealth of the country and should not be vandalized, the protesters continued to throw bricks and stones at the building.
The police reported that some glass of the building was broken due to the attack.
