United News of Bangladesh

From dawn to late night, Khulna’s commercial heartbeats pulse through its crowded markets, where hundreds of shops conduct business worth crores of taka every day. Yet behind the bustle and bargaining lies a silent, growing danger -- fire. At least 23 large and small markets across Khulna city are facing acute fire risks due to a lack of basic safety measures, according to Fire Service officials. Narrow access roads, unplanned shop layouts, tangled electrical wiring and the absence of firefighting facilities have turned many of the city’s busiest trading hubs into potential death traps. Most of these markets have developed over the years without proper planning or approval from the Khulna Development Authority (KDA), the Fire Service or other relevant agencies. As a result, even a minor spark could trigger a devastating blaze, causing massive losses and endangering countless lives. A Daily Fear for Traders For traders, fear has become part of their daily routine. “We open our shops every day with fear,” said Md Kamal Hossain, a cloth trader at Boro Bazar, adding, “A small spark could finish everything. With so many traders packed into narrow lanes, we remain anxious all the time. The roads need to be widened. We have raised the issue with our traders’ association, but there has been little progress.” Similar concerns echo through Notun Market, Suhrawardy Biponi Bitan, Horoz Market and the markets along Bhairab Stand Road--all among those identified as highly vulnerable. At Moshla Patti, spice trader Delwar Hossain said repeated appeals have gone unheard. “We keep asking for the market roads to be widened, but no one listens. The Fire Service sometimes visits and gives us basic instructions. We are doing business cautiously,” he said. St Martin’s-bound cruise ship catches fire in Cox’s Bazar jetty; 1 killed Inside a Looming Disaster The danger becomes starkly visible inside places like the Khan Jahan Ali Hawkers Market. Narrow alleys—often no more than four to five feet wide—are lined with shops on both sides. In some sections, goods spill into walkways, while clusters of exposed electrical wires hang overhead. During peak hours, movement becomes difficult and breathing uncomfortable. In the event of a fire, escape routes would be virtually non-existent. This scenario is not unique. Fire Service officials say almost all major commercial areas in Khulna share similar conditions. Firefighters Face Barriers According to Md Masud Sardar, acting deputy director of the Khulna Fire Service, at least 23 markets in the metropolis have been categorised as high-risk zones. “If a fire breaks out in these places, our vehicles cannot enter,” he said, adding, “Without training and infrastructural development, accidents cannot be prevented. We face serious challenges.” Sardar pointed to tangled electrical wiring, narrow lanes, lack of firefighting equipment and inadequate water supply as the primary reasons behind the heightened risk. “We have raised these issues in coordination meetings with various departments, including water administration. With everyone’s effort, we hope the situation will improve,” he added. Administration Promises Action The district administration says steps are being taken. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Toufiqur Rahman said the authorities are working in coordination with the Fire Service and business associations based on the list of risky markets. “Training programmes and awareness initiatives have already been undertaken,” he said, acknowledging the scale of the challenge. Planners Warn of Catastrophe Urban planners, however, warn that awareness alone is not enough. “These markets developed in the city centre without any prior planning,” said Asif Ahmed, general secretary of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Khulna unit. “Without immediate coordinated action involving the city corporation, KDA, power division, Fire Service and WASA, a major catastrophe could be imminent.” Woman, granddaughter die as house catches fire in Ctg He stressed that narrow roads must be widened, electrical cables placed underground, and adequate water supply and firefighting systems ensured in every market. A Ticking Clock The warning signs are already clear. According to Fire Service data, 291 small and large fire incidents were reported in Khulna district over the past year. As the city’s markets continue to expand vertically and horizontally without safety upgrades, the risk grows with every passing day. For thousands of traders and customers, Khulna’s commercial lifelines remain vibrant—but dangerously vulnerable.

A fire broke out at Korail Basti, a slum in Tejgaon area of the capital on Tuesday evening. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations & Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the flames are gradually decreasing. “We have strengthened our operations here, and nearly 20 units are now working at the scene,” he said. “We have managed to confine the fire. The next step is to identify the source of the blaze. We hope to share some good news within the next couple of hours. However, nothing can be said with certainty at this moment,” he added. Earlier, Talha Bin Jashim, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the fire originated from one of the shanties of the slum around 5:22pm. Fire ravages Korail slum, leaving dwellers devastated amid water crisis Responding to an emergency call, 20 firefighting units from multiple stations were dispatched to the scene in stages, Talha said, adding that currently all units are working to bringh the flame under control.  The cause of the fire could not be determined yet.

The fire that broke out at a coil factory at Bagher Bazar in Rajendrapur of Gazipur district has been brought under control. The fire started at Finix Coil factory around 12:55 pm and spread to the adjacent godown and houses, said Talha Bin Jashim, an official of the Fire Service and Civil Defense (Media cell). Noticing smoke billowing from the factory, the workers tried to put the blaze under control but failed. On information, nine firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 2:55 pm. The extent of  damages from the fire and its origin could not be known yet. No casualty was reported. Read more: Fire destroys landmark tower in Croatian capital

The devastating fire that broke out at a factory in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) was brought under control after 17 hours of frantic efforts, the Fire Service said on Friday morning. A total of 25 firefighting units from several stations managed to bring the blaze under control around 7:15 am, said Jasim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence in Agrabad.  The building has been declared as a fire-risk one, he said. Jasim said two separate bodies have been formed to investigate the incident — one by the Fire Service and another by the CEPZ authorities. The five member Fire Service panel has been asked to submit its report within 15 days, while the CEPZ committee comprising five members will submit its findings within five days, officials said. The fire originated around 2 pm on Thursday on the eighth floor of the Adam Cap factory in Sector 1, Road No-5 of CEPZ and later spread to two lower floors, according to officials. Md Zakir, Duty Officer of CEPZ Fire Service, said the blaze was partially under control but not yet fully extinguished. “The extent of the damage cannot be determined yet,” he added. CEPZ fire still raging; 23 units battling to bring blaze under control Personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) assisted firefighters in containing the flames. The factory produced hospital equipment and towels, and the large presence of flammable materials caused the fire to spread rapidly and burn intensely. Meanwhile, 16 people were burnt to death in a devastating fire at a factory and a warehouse in Mirpur, Dhaka days back.

The death toll from the devastating fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Shialbari area of Mirpur in Dhaka has risen to 16 as of Tuesday evening. Fire Service officials and others fear the toll may climb further. The fire, which began around 11:30 am, is yet to be fully brought under control, according to the Fire Service. The fire broke out at the four-story ‘Anwar Fashion’ garment factory and a neighbouring tin-shed chemical warehouse. Firefighters have been spraying water to contain the flames while conducting search operations inside the factory. By 4:15 pm, nine bodies had been recovered, a number that rose to 16 by 7:15 pm, confirmed the Fire Service. Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations and maintenance) at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, told the media that the search is ongoing and the chemical warehouse remains extremely hazardous.

A massive fire that broke out at a kitchen market in Chandna Chowrasta of Gazipur city early Thursday was brought under control after about an hour of efforts. The fire broke out around 6:15 am at the Chowrasta grocery market, quickly spreading to nearby shops and structures, according to witnesses and fire service officials. Upon receiving the information, three units from Chandna Chowrasta Modern Fire Service rushed to the spot. They were later joined by two more units from Gazipur as the flames intensified, said Mohammad Mamun, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service and Civil Defence. Fire at Siddheswari High School Jame Mosque doused Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 7:20 am after frantic efforts, he added. Many kitchen and grocery shops were gutted, leaving owners deeply concerned over their losses, according to the fire service official. The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damages will be known following an investigation, he said.

At least seven people were killed and four others were injured as a speeding microbus carrying family members of an expatriate plunged into a roadside canal in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali district early Wednesday, said Fire Service. The deceased are Oman expatriate Bahar’s mother Morshida Begum, 55, his wife Kabita, 24, daughter Mim Akter, 2, grandmother (maternal) Faizunnessa, 40, sister-in-law (elder brother’s wife) Laboni Akter, 30, and nieces (Laboni’s daughters) Lamia, 9 and Reshmi, 8. The victims were residents of Chopalli village under Hajjirpara in Lakshmipur district, said Farid Uddin, assistant director of Noakhali Fire Service. Three of the injured were identified as expatriate Bahar, his father Sagir Ali and the microbus deriver.  Talha Bin Zashim, officer (media) at Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, said the accident occurred around 5:40am when the microbus lost control on Noakhali-Lakshmipur regional road in Jagadishpur area and fell into Wapda canal in Chandraganj Dakshin Bazar of the upazila. 2 Jamaat leaders killed in road accident on way to Dhaka rally The accident left at seven people dead on the spot and four injured, he said. On information, one firefighting unit from Chowmuhuni Fire Station rushed to the scene around 6:05am and carried out rescue operation, said the FSCD official. Later, another unit from Majidee Bazar joined the rescue operation and sent the casualties to the hospitals, said Fire Service official Farid. Quoting relatives, he said injured Bahar returned home from Oman on Tuesday night while his family members went to Dhaka to receive him and returning in the microbus. "All the victims were from the same family," he said.

The fire that raged out through a chemical warehouse in Wari area of Old Dhaka was brought under control after two hours of frantic efforts on Wednesday morning. Talha-Bin-Zashim, station officer (media officer) of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, said the fire broke out in the chemical godown on the third floor of a 12-storey building at Hatkhola Road in Wari area around 5am. Fire guts factory, chemical warehouse in Keraniganj On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot around 5:07am and later five more units joined it, he said, adding that the fire was brought under control at 7am. The cause of the fire is yet to be known while no casualty was reported, the FSCD officer added.

At least three people were killed and five others injured when a Dhaka-bound train crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the Kalurghat Bridge in Chattogram on Thursday night. One of the deceased was identified as Tushar, the driver of the auto-rickshaw  involved in the accident. According to locals, the ‘Parjatak Express’ train from Cox’s Bazar rammed into the auto-rickshaw  around 10:30pm when it entered the bridge, reportedly ignoring traffic signals.  The train subsequently collided with several other vehicles, including motorcycles. Aminul Islam, a firefighter from the Kalurghat Fire Station who was present at the scene, said they received information about the accident around 10:45pm and rushed to the spot.  After rescuing the victims, they sent all of them to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).  He said a body was recovered from under the wheels of the train around 12:30am. As of 1am, rescue operations were still going on at the scene. Train services disrupted as local stage demo demanding justice for BWDB employee Akash's murder in Chuandaga  

The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) has formed a 60-member special force to ensure quick response during major disasters like earthquakes in Dhaka, said its Director General Brigadier General Md Zahid Kamal. Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a two-day training workshop organised for the members of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB), he said special teams comprising 20 members are also being formed in each divisional city to strengthen disaster response capabilities. The DG said the newly formed special force comprising selected firefighters from across the country will be provided with necessary training and equipment at Purbachal in the capital. “This team will be ready to respond quickly during major fires or earthquakes,” he added. Considering the earthquake risks, the Fire Service’s operational division will be relocated to Mirpur, he said. Among others, CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal, General Secretary MM Badsha, Joint Secretary Niaz Ahmed Labu, Finance Secretary Aminul Islam, Organising Secretary Sajjad Mahmud Khan, Office Secretary Wasim Siddiqui, Training Secretary Jasim Uddin, FSCD Director (Training, Planning and Development) Lt Col MA Azad Anwar, and Senior Staff Officer of the media cell Md Shahjahan Shikder were present. Bangladesh sends fire service rescue team to Myanmar “We may also be affected during earthquakes, but we cannot let the operational rescue team be affected. Therefore, we are separating the commanding force and shifting the training and development directorate to Purbachal,” the DG said. He said the current manpower, equipment, and number of stations in Dhaka and Chattogram are not sufficient compared to the population. “We need to increase these to respond effectively during disasters.” The DG said proposals were sent to relevant ministries to include fire safety awareness in school textbooks though it could not be added this year. He said 8 to 10 fire stations in Dhaka could be damaged during a major earthquake.  “Fire Service is a service-oriented organization that works under risk to save lives and property.” Referring to Fire Service's participation in rescue efforts in Myanmar alongside the Bangladesh Army, he noted the appreciation and recognition they received for their professionalism. Fire Service strengthens safety measures at Ijtema ground “We regularly post awareness content on our Facebook page and have conducted fire safety campaigns in 35 ares in Dhaka,” he added.