Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Fire Academy will be established in Gazaria of Munshiganj district to ensure modern training facilities for the fire service men, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday. “Already the acquisition work of 100.92 acres of land in Gazaria is at final stage and 1000 members of fire services will get training at the academy at a time,” he said talking at a programe on the occasion of Fire Service and Civil Defense Week held at Mirpur Fire Service Training complex in the city. The government has sent 1,169 members of fire service abroad for training purpose and once the new academy is opened we will be able to provide training to the members of fire service here, said Asaduzzaman. Read: Trying our best to execute jail killing case verdict: Home Minister Currently, the Fire Service and Civil Defense has the capability to conduct rescue operation in 20-storey buildings and the government is trying to strengthen the capability of fire service like those in developed countries , he added. Besides, the number of ambulances has been increased to 190 from the existing 63 and steps will be taken to provide ambulances to all fire service stations, said the Minister. The government also procured some equipment  for extinguishing fire and conducting rescue operation like remote control firefighting units and drone which are used in developed countries. Alongside increasing  the capability of the organization, the government is working to ensure all facilities for the staff and employees of the organization. There are some 456 fire service stations across the country and some 109 more  will be built within the next fiscal year, said Asaduzzaman. Read: Names of puja violence instigators to be disclosed soon: Home Minister Besides, the construction work of 11 modern fire stations in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chattogram industrial area and Rooppur Power Plant area is underway. Talking about the manpower of the fire service, the Minister said currently13,400 members are working and a project has been taken to increase its manpower to 25,000.

Five people were killed when a pickup van overturned on Bonpara-Hatikumrul highway in Gurudaspur uapzila of Natore on Sunday noon. The identities of the deceased are yet to be known. Six other  people including three children were  also injured in this accident. Read:3 killed in Gaibandha road crash Locals said the accident occurred when a Dhaka-bound pickup van from Natore's Bonpara overturned after its driver lost control over the steering in Kachikata Mor area, leaving five people  dead on spot. Abdur Razzak, officer-in-charge of Gurudaspur Police Station, said fire service men rescued the injured and sent them to nearby Upazila Health Complex.