Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said on Thursday that fire hydrants will be installed in every slum and market in the north to tackle fire-related incidents.

“The fire hydrant will have 60,000 litres of water. It can operate for at least 40 minutes. If we can survive for 40 minutes, and if the road is empty, we can reduce damages,” the DNCC mayor said.

He made the statement as he inaugurated a fire hydrant under the integrated community firefighting and water supply system at Mohakhali Shattola slum in the capital on Thursday (May 18).

"The Shattola slum is a model for fire safety. Fire hydrants will also be installed in other slum areas in phases,” he said.

Atiqul said Dhaka North City Corporation has provided 17 volunteers to efficiently use the fire hydrant during any incident.

There will be a reservoir, a hose pipe and 17 trained volunteers to use the fire hydrant, the mayor said.

“If there is a fire here, the fire alarm will go off immediately. Fire exits have been introduced in this slum. We’ve also shown what to do in case of a fire,” he added.

The DNCC mayor said safety measures, including fire hydrants, will be ensured in the markets under the north city corporation.

“Mohakhali Kachabazar will be built as a model for fire safety. Later, fire hydrants will be installed in all other markets based on the model.”

He also urged people to stop taking selfies or videos during a fire incident and cooperate with the fire service and make way for fire-fighting equipment.

The mayor said due to the lack of water bodies in Dhaka, it’s becoming increasingly tough for firefighters to collect water during an emergency.

"When there's a fire emergency, there's no water to douse the blaze,”  he said. “Our canals and water bodies have been encroached. So there is no water.”

He emphasised on increasing the numbers of reservoirs, water bodies and open fields across the city.

Moderated by Md. Maruf Hossain, Town Manager of LIUPC Project of UNDP and presided over by DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Selim Reza, the function was addressed, among others, by Dr. Dibalok Singh, Executive Director of Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), Partha Hefaz Shaikh, WaterAid Bangladesh Programme and Policy Advocacy, Van Nguyen, Acting Resident Representative of UN Programme Bangladesh, DNCC Ward No. 20 Councillor Md. Abul Kalam Azad. Nasir, reserved seat councilor Amena Begum and others.