United News of Bangladesh

A pre-dawn devastating fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, tore through the Sat Tola slum in Mohakhali, reducing over a hundred homes and shops to ashes on Wednesday. Though the fire was brought under control by morning, the damage suffered by the residents is immeasurable. A visit to the site on Wednesday (12 March) revealed the extent of the destruction. While no casualties were reported, many residents lost their homes and belongings, leaving them in distress. According to those affected, the fire broke out at about 3:20 am. Due to the predominance of tin-roofed houses, the flames spread rapidly. Although the firefighters arrived promptly, the blaze had already engulfed a significant portion of the slum. Mohakhali’s Sattola Slum fire brought under control Hemayet, a shopkeeper who lost his business in the fire, said, “As it is Ramadan, many people were awake. That is why there were no fatalities despite the fire spreading quickly. Everyone managed to escape with only the clothes they were wearing.” Another victim, Enayet, shared his ordeal saying, “I had Tk 2 lakh saved in a drawer in my house. I was asleep when I heard people screaming. I rushed outside with my wife and child, only to see flames everywhere. When I returned after the fire was doused, I found everything reduced to ashes, including my savings.” Farida Akhter, one of the affected residents, was seen sifting through the charred debris in search of unburnt rice. “Our home is gone. We have lost money, jewellery, household items—everything. Now, I am just trying to salvage some rice so we can at least have something to eat,” she said in despair. According to the Fire Service, they were informed about the blaze at 3:40 am on Tuesday night. The first unit reached the scene within ten minutes, and by 5:20 am, a total of eight units had managed to bring the fire under control. More than 150 homes and several shops were affected by the fire. Fire at Aminbazar Substation under control Fire service officials confirmed that the blaze originated due to an electrical short circuit, resulting in significant damage and loss for the slum’s inhabitants.

A fire that broke out in Dhaka’s Mohakhali Sattola Slum early Wednesday was brought under control after about two hours of relentless efforts. Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the fire broke out in the slum around 3:40 am. Initially, five firefighting units were sent to the scene, with three more joining later to contain the blaze, he added. Committee formed to investigate fire at Aminbazar power grid station Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 5:20 am. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage could not be known yet.

The fire that raged through the fourth and fifth floors of a multi-storyed building in Purana Paltan area of Dhaka early Wednesday morning was brought under control after two hours of efforts. Warehouse inspector (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters Anwarul Islam said they received information about the fire incident at the Zaman Tower in the Purana Paltan area around 5:35am. Responding to the call, 14 firefighting units from several stations were pushed to the scene but nine units were engaged in dousing the flame, he said. 50 shops gutted in 2 fire incidents in Pirojpur The fire was brought under control at 7:35am, said the Fire Service official, adding that the dumping work was underway as of filing this report at 8:00am. Two men were rescued from the fire-hit building, he said, adding that the origin of the fire could not be known yet.

Lack of fire safety equipment has become a matter of concern for Chandpur residents, especially those living in the district headquarters. For example, there is no ladder to extinguish flames if fire breaks out in buildings above the fifth floor.   The authorities, however, said there is no approval of constructing a structure above the seventh floor in Chandpur municipality but several high-rises upto 13th floor were built flouting the rules and even risking lives.    Fire breaks out in Ctg tyre factory Though there are 10 Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) stations in the district consisting of eight upazilas, a total of 140 firefighters, with no female worker, are attached at the stations in the coastal district located on the banks of River Meghna. The residents stressed the need for immediate measures to arrange modern and technology-based equipment to douse fire to save lives and properties. According to Chandpur’s FSCD, the district has witnessed 321 small and big fire incidents till October 15 this year, with a monthly average of 24-45 incidents. Though there have been no fatalities, numerous individuals have sustained injuries. Those fires caused extensive damages financially. During the same period, 84 other incidents, including road accidents and electrical fires, have claimed 39 lives and injured hundreds. Panel formed to prove vessel fire at Ctg port Officials involved with the FSCD and others predict that the number of fire accidents may increase in the winter. According to reports, the first fire station was established in Puran Bazar (old market) area during the British regime, followed by the establishment of a second fire station in the 1980s in Natun Bazar (new market) area. Over the past two decades, multiple FSCD units have been set up across eight upazila to protect lives and properties. Moreover, a dedicated river fire station has also been established to prevent incidents on water routes. Morshad Hossain, assistant director of the FSCD in Chandpur, told UNB that despite having logistical support, the lack of tall ladders exposes a severe threat to tame fire. Firefighters are often unable to access upper floors during emergencies, complicating rescue operations, he said. Recently, firefighters faced severe huddles while trying to douse a fire that broke out in a high-rise building in Hajianganj upazila. In the past 25 years, the construction of numerous high-rise buildings has increased remarkably, including structures with 8 to 13 floors. Expressing grave concern over the safety, locals Rashiduzzaman and Jashim Uddin said exit points could become inaccessible due to smoke and locked roofs. Echoing them, many others voiced their worries about evacuation during emergencies, urging the authorities concerned to take measures to address the life-saving issue. Chandpur Municipal Corporation’s Chief Engineer M. Shamsuddoha said that the municipality has not authorized the construction of buildings above seven stories, yet many are being built in violation of these regulations. He affirmed that that action will be taken against the owners who built high-rises violating the rules.

The fire which broke out at Godown slum in Dhaka’s Banani area has been brought under control. The fire started at the slum around 4:05 pm on Sunday and engulfed it, said Talha bin Jasim, station officer of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD). TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj On information, six firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 5:33 pm. A team of Bangladesh Army also joined with the fire service teams, said a press release of ISPR. Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down However, the origin of the fire and extent of damages could not be ascertained yet.

US Embassy in Dhaka has conducted its second Medical First Responder Seminar (MFRS) of 2021.