United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh saw 140 deaths in 26,659 fire incidents reported across the country in 2024, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence on TuesdaySome 341 people were injured in fires caused by electric faults, burning cigarette butts, stove-related issues, and gas accidents, said FSCD Station Officer Talha bin Zasim on Tuesday.Valuables worth Tk 446. 27 crore were also gutted, he said. 11 houses gutted in Natore Fire However, the Fire Service managed to save property worth over Tk 1974 crore through their prompt response. Besides, two fire service personnel died and 37 were injured while performing duties. Furthermore, the unruly action of public led to the vandalism of 34 fire service vehicles and torching of eight others.Of the total fire incidents, 33.98% caused by electrical faults, 15.52% caused by burning pieces of bidi or cigarettes, 11.46% from stoves, 2.95% from crowds, and 2.84% due to children playing with fire. Other causes included gas leaks, cylinder explosions, and fireworks-related incidents.Residential buildings were the hardest hit, accounting for 26.74% of the fires. Other notable incidents occurred in haystacks (16.92%), kitchens (9.04%), and various industries, including garment factories and shopping malls. A total of 268 fires occurred in vehicles, excluding buses, and there were also fire incidents on trains and launches. Fire in Mirpur Bata: No casualties reportedThe highest number of fire incidents occurred in the months of February, March, April, and May, with an average of 102 fires reported daily during these months.Beyond fire incidents, the Fire Service and Civil Defence conducted extensive rescue operations, saving 750 lives and rescuing 303 animals through diving operations. In total, the Fire Service handled 9,128 accident rescues, including 6,408 road accidents. Hazaribagh leather warehouse fire extinguished, fire safety negligence highlightedTo curb future fire disasters, the Fire Service and Civil Defence launched 147 mobile courts in 2024, fining institutions a total of Tk 2.58 crore. Besides, they carried out 18,983 fire safety drills and provided training to over 1.47 lakh people across the country.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking its directives to close all restaurants in residential buildings in Dhaka including on Bailey Road. Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed the writ petition with the High Court bench concerned on Sunday (March 03, 2024). Besides, the petition also sought directives to provide compensation to the family members of the deceased and injured in the Bailey Road fire and arrest of those responsible in the fire incident. Read more: A city of fire traps: Decades of tragedies in Dhaka expose systemic failures Meanwhile, a Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Israt Zahan Santona filed another writ petition with the High Court bench concerned seeking judicial investigation into the deadly fire at Green Cozy Cottage Building on Bailey Road that claimed the lives of 46 people. The petitions will move to the HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque. Secretaries to the Public Works Ministry, Cabinet Division, Home Ministry, Inspector General of Police, Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), nayors of Dhaka North and South city corporations were made responsible in the writ petitions. Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings On Thursday night, a massive fire broke out at a building on Dhaka's Bailey Road leaving at least 46 people dead and injuring dozens of people. Later, a case was filed with Ramna police station.