Fire Service
Breaching Rajuk plan: Most markets under Dhaka city corporations at fire risk
Most markets under Dhaka's two city corporations are at fire risk — major reasons being breaching the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plan and not maintaining fire service standards.
More fire incidents can occur if Rajuk and other relevant authorities do not respond promptly.
Mouchak and Anarkali markets in Dhaka’s Malibagh, Siddheshwari areas are adjacent to each other. Almost every floor of the Mouchak market has more shops than the original plan accommodates. The shops’ designs have also been altered.
Shops have even been set up in spaces that were marked as passageways within the market. From the bottom of these two markets to the four sides, there is no room in the corner. Furthermore, the entry and exit points are quite small, making these two markets prone to fire incidents.
Also Read: Fire Service’s recommendations for markets to be implemented with priority: State Minister
Meanwhile, Chandni Chawk market near New Market is also at fire risk. Condition at Chandni Chawk is similar to Mouchak’s. The Rajuk plan and requirements were not implemented at this market either.
It should be mentioned that a fire at New Supermarket — next to New Market and opposite Chandni Chawk — was devastated by a fire on April 15.
In Sayedabad Supermarket, Phulbaria Sundarban market, Nagar Plaza, City Plaza, and other markets and shopping centres, there are many more shops than the original Rajuk-approved plans allow.
Fires are also likely to occur in crowded markets with no fire extinguishing system.
Also Read: Taposh urges long-term initiative to free markets of fire risk
Similarly, Rajuk Uttara Shopping Complex has significantly more shops than the market is meant to accommodate, according to the development authority's plan. There are illegal structures everywhere, including the basement, as well as the market's entrance.
A fire service team recently visited Gausia Market and found that Rajuk rules were not followed. If a fire occurs as a result of breaching the plans, not enough people will be able to come down the stairs. Electrical wires were also seen unconcealed everywhere in the market. There is no fire alarm system either.
Except for shopping malls like Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park, almost all markets in Dhaka city are at fire risk.
Local influential people, according to the fire department, have set up marketplaces and allotted shops at their discretion.
Also Read: 58 markets in Dhaka at risk of fire; 9 marked 'extremely risky'
These markets, according to city planner Adil Mohammad Khan, were constructed without regard to any standard or regulation. The tin-shed markets are also quite risky.
If not closely monitored, there will be more fire incidents in the future, he warned.
Manpower, equipment shortage hamper activities of Khulna Division Fire Service
There are 60 stations under the Khulna Divisional Fire Service and Civil Defense where 223 posts are vacant and most of them do not have necessary equipment to fight fire or any other big disaster.
According to fire service personnel, on one hand there is not enough manpower and equipment and on the other, they have to work through adversity due to lack of water sources, electric and dish cables, narrow roads and onlookers.
In such a situation, they have controlled 2,034 fire incidents in the division last year that left 265 people dead and 2,032 others wounded.
Read More: Gulistan blast: Death toll rises to 22
These stations were supposed to have 1,688 manpower, but there are 1,465 people and 223 posts are vacant. Of these, one out of 10 posts of deputy assistant director, one of assistant communication engineer, 47 out of 64 station officers, seven out of 11 fire officers, three out of three mobilizing officers, one out of 47 sub-officers, seven out of 131 leaders, 126 out of 1,013 firefighters, 17 out of 258 drivers are vacant.
There are 58 water-carrying vehicles, 53 small covered vans, 11 vehicles for carrying passengers for exercise, one car for public relations for the exercise, 22 ambulances, four SUVs, 103 pumps, 13 special vehicles and five vessels for the exercise.
From January to December last year, fire service members responded to 1,244 road accidents, 2,034 fires and 91 other accidents. Besides, assets worth Tk 59,56,58,000 were recovered and 2,032 people were rescued in 1,870 different types of accidents.
Read More: Fire at Gazipur cotton warehouse under control
Divisional Fire Service and Civil Defense authorities said there are 60 fire service stations in 10 districts of the division. Besides, the construction of four stations in Fakirhat and Chitalmari upazila in Bagerhat, Tala and Shyamnagar upazilas in Satkhira has been completed.
Besides, land has been finalized for the construction of two more fire stations at Daulatpur in Kushtia and Paikgachha in Khulna.
Talking to the UNB correspondent, some members of the fire service said during the firefighting, there is a problem in working fast due to lack of water source on the way to the spot and after going to the spot, the hanging wires of electric and dish lines, narrow roads and electric poles on roads.
Read More: Explosion in Science Lab area a massive accident: Fire Service DG
Apart from this, there is a shortage of manpower, diving units, vehicles, disruption of wireless communication, and non-implementation of fire safety in multi-storied residential and commercial buildings, they said.
According to the fire service members, Khulna Sadar and Tutpara station buildings are old and dilapidated. There were also incidents of injuries in the collapse of the building's plaster. Cars, computers, and wireless equipment were also damaged. There are 150 firefighters living in this dilapidated building with their lives at risk. There was a quarter for the members of the fire service, which was declared abandoned.
Deputy Assistant Director of Khulna Fire Service and Civil Defense Tanharul Islam said, "It is necessary to remove the old building and construct a new one. This will result in vehicle safety and safe housing for fire service members at risk. And it is necessary to provide the much-needed equipment on an urgent basis to speed up the fire activities properly.”
Read More: Gas explosions took 82 lives in 3 years in Narayanganj, threats remain: Police, fire service
Mamun Mahmud, deputy director of the Divisional Fire Service and Civil Defense, said, "Higher authorities are aware of the shortage of manpower and equipment of the fire service of the division. In order to deal with the challenges in the operational activities of the fire service, equipment and manpower have been sought for each station. Hope, the situation will see improvement.”
Gulistan blast: Death toll rises to 22
Two days after a deadly explosion in a commercial building in Gulistan's Siddique Bazar area, another man succumbed to his burn injuries on Thursday night, raising the death toll to 22.
The deceased was identified as Yasir Arafat, 26. He was under treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn & Plastic Surgery.
Earlier, on Tuesday, at least 17 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a massive explosion in a 5-storey building near a BRTC bus counter in the capital’s Gulistan area.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday. A sanitary materials shop on the ground floor of the building, BRAC Bank office on one of the other floors and an adjacent 7-storey building were damaged but no buildings collapsed.
Read more: Gulistan blast: Another body recovered from debris, death toll now 21
Three people, including the owner of the building at Siddique Bazar, were shown arrested in a case over the blast on Thursday.
A Dhaka court on Thursday put the three arrested people including the building owners of Siddique Bazar blast, which left 21 people dead, on a three-day remand
Fire at Gazipur cotton warehouse under control
A fire that broke out at a cotton warehouse in Gazipur's Tongi this afternoon is now under control.
Three firefighting units brought the fire under control after one and a half hours, said Tongi Fire Service Officer Shahadat Hossain.
The fire broke out at the warehouse in Tongi's Auchpara area around 1 pm today, he said.
Locals said four people, including the warehouse manager Zakir Hossain, were injured while trying to douse the fire.
Explosion in Science Lab area a massive accident: Fire Service DG
The explosion in a building at Dhaka’s Science lab area was a massive accident,said Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brig Gen Md Moin Uddin on Monday.
“We are primarily suspecting that accumulated gas caused the blast. We are investigating further and looking into other probabilities,” he said while talking to reporters after attending an event at Mirpur DOHS.
He also said that the army's bomb disposal unit found no sign of explosive substances on the spot.
Also Read: Collapsed Science Lab building declared abandoned
At least three people died and more than 50 were injured when Shirin Mansion, a three-storey building, partially collapsed due to an "explosion that triggered a fire" at Dhaka's Science Lab area on Sunday.
The deceased were identified as Tushar, Shafikuzzaman, and Abdul Mannan.
Also Read: No use of explosives found in Science Lab building explosion: Army team
A team comprising members of the bomb disposal unit and chemical disaster response team (CDRT) of Bangladesh Army inspected the explosion site Sunday afternoon and carried out tests.
On Sunday afternoon, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities put up a banner declaring the building dangerous and abandoned.
Gas explosions took 82 lives in 3 years in Narayanganj, threats remain: Police, fire service
At least 82 people died in gas explosion-related fires in Narayanganj over the last three years, according to police and fire service. This excludes the number of victims of such fire incidents who died while receiving treatment.
Although gas pipeline leaks and cylinder explosions are the leading causes of these recorded fires, threats still persist. A blast in Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque of Narayanganj killed 37 on September 4, 2020.
There have also been accusations of irregularities in the investigation process, and the accused in the majority of cases remain uncharged due to the slow process of investigation.
Also read: Fire in Ctg’s Andarkilla area leaves one dead
According to police and fire service, there were 104 gas explosion-related fire incidents in Narayanganj district in 2022. Sixty-nine of them were caused by flaws in the gas pipeline, 34 incidents were reportedly caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. A total of 18 people, including children, died and 25 were injured in those incidents.
There were 114 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2021. Pipeline flaws were responsible for 96 incidents. That year, 20 people were killed and more than 50 were injured.
A total of 44 people died and 26 were injured in 106 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2020. Seventy-one incidents were caused by gas line faults, while the rest were caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. That year, 37 people died in a massive explosion at the Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque.
Also read: Death toll from Gulshan fire rises to two
Locals of the district say that the authorities show concern for a few days following an incident. But their efforts to address these threats got nipped in the bud every time, they said.
Locals reportedly file complaints about gas leaks, but no significant action is taken to address this serious issue.
Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said that the negligence of Titas gas authorities and lack of awareness among locals are to blame for many incidents.
Read More: Fire breaks out in Ctg’s VIP Tower
Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service, said, “We urge residents to stay cautious and inspect their gas pipelines for leaks.”
Mamunur Rashid, deputy general manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited in Narayanganj, said, “Gas pipelines inside the homes are the responsibility of the consumers. All we do is distribute the lines.”
“The majority of fire incidents are caused by faults in house lines. Gas leaks cause explosions when burners are left on,” he added.
Read More: Fire Service team going to Turkey to be part of rescue effort
“Customers need to be cautious and should never leave gas stoves on,” he said.
Chai Lau Marma, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations) in Narayanganj, said, “We file cases in response to complaints. After investigating, we put the names on the chargesheet and file in court.”
Narayanganj residents urged the government to take measures to address these fire risks promptly.
Read More: 6 charred bodies retrieved from Old Dhaka plastic factory: Fire Service
Fire breaks out in Ctg’s VIP Tower
A fire broke out in VIP Tower, a multi-storeyed shopping mall-residential building, located in Kazir Deuri of Chattogram city early Wednesday (February 15, 2023).
Locals said that repair work was going on on the second floor of the building. A fire broke out while doing welding work with gas there. Later it spread to the building.
Read more: Jute godown gutted in city fire
Abdul Mottaleb, fireman of Nandankanan Fire Service, said that two teams of firefighters rushed to spot and fire is now under control.
“As far as I know, the fire started from an electrical short circuit,” he added.
Read More: Fire at textile mill in Dhaka's Shyampur under control
Fire Service team going to Turkey to be part of rescue effort
A 12-member rescue team from the Fire Service and Civil Defense (DSCD) is being sent to Turkey to conduct search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Monday's horrific earthquake.
The 12-member rescue team of the FSCD has been prepared to be sent along with the joint support team sent by the Bangladesh Armed Forces Department on instructions of the Prime Minister.
This is the FSCD's first overseas trip to conduct rescue operations in the international arena.
Due to the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkey on Monday, international help has been sought by the Turkish government. In view of this, the Prime Minister has given instructions to send a combined aid team to Turkey under the Bangladesh Armed Forces. In the light of the instructions, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Directorate Brigadier General Md. Main Uddin has prepared the 12-member rescue team.
It is noted that each of the 12-member rescue team are internationally trained in conducting search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings as per International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) standards.
The Director General of FSCD Directorate said in a response that this is the first foreign trip of the Fire Service to conduct rescue operations in the international arena. This is a shining example of capacity building of fire service under the current government.
Read more: Bangladesh plans to send medical, rescue teams to Türkiye: MoFA spokesperson
This is an incredible recognition for the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Every member of the Fire Service and Civil Defense is proud of it. I believe that all the members of the fire service will repay the trust of the honorable Prime Minister with their best.
Rescuers in Turkey and war-ravaged Syria searched through the cold night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 4,000 people and toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region.
Authorities feared the death toll from Monday’s pre-dawn earthquake and aftershocks would keep climbing as rescuers looked for survivors among tangles of metal and concrete spread across the region beset by Syria’s 12-year civil war and refugee crisis, reports AP.
Bus catches fire in Bogura, all passengers safe
Some 45 passengers had a narrow escape after a bus in which they were travelling caught fire on the Dhaka-Bogura highway in Bogura early on Saturday.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Hossain Ali, inspector of Sherpur Fire Service and Civil Defense, said the fire broke out on the bus of ‘Ahsan Paribahan’ while it was on its way to Dhaka from Kurigram.
"Passengers spotted the fire when the bus reached Sonka in Sherpur upazila of the district. All those on board managed to get off the bus safely," he said.
On information, a fire tender was pressed into the service and it managed to extinguish the blaze within 10 minutes.
Also read: Fire engulfs 42-story building in China; no deaths reported
"An electrical short-circuit might have triggered the fire," the officer said.
KOICA to improve Bangladesh fire service officials' capacity through training in S Korea
South Korea, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), will start a programme Saturday to increase the capacities of Bangladesh fire service officials to ensure stable operation and efficient management.
Five officials from Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence will participate in the 14-day training in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.
The training in South Korea will help them understand the support system of the Emergency Response Control Center, and acquire the procedures and techniques for the operation of a comprehensive disaster prevention system.
It will also help them enable a stable system operation and efficient management of fire service and civil defence and strengthen future cooperation in the area.
Korea Information Systems Consulting and Audit will organise field visits to important sites and offices for a better understanding of Korea's National Emergency Management Agency.
Finally, the Bangladesh officials will develop a country action plan to develop feasible measures to apply the knowledge, technology and experience learned to their workplace.
Read: Fire Service control room landphones go out of order