Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Md Main Uddin on Sunday urged people to refrain from using fireworks and flying lanterns on 31st night or New Year’s Eve.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, about 100 fire incidents were reported last year during the New Year’s Eve that were caused by fireworks and the release of lanterns, resulting in an estimated loss of Tk 19.75 lakh.
Read: Fireworks, sky lanterns banned in Dhaka until further notice: DMP
In 2021, at least 16 fire incidents were reported causing a loss of around Tk 405,000. That year, a child named Tanjim Umair alias Mahmudul Hasan tragically died after being traumatised due to the loud sound of fireworks.
In 2020, fires caused by New Year’ Eve celebration caused an estimated loss of about Tk 14.35 lakh. Losses worth Tk 14.47 lakh were reported in 2019. Meanwhile, fire incidents caused by fireworks and lanterns in 2018 resulted an estimated loss of Tk 56.6 lakh.
Read: People remain indoors as fireworks light the sky to usher in New Year
To raise awareness against using fireworks and lanterns, the fire service has already shared leaflets and video clips on their official Facebook page and YouTube, according to the official press release.
At the same time, fire stations in Dhaka have been kept alert to deal with fire-related accidents.