Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina repeatedly instructed the architects to have an open veranda, fire exit, and ventilation when they prepare the design of a house or building.

In one of Bangladesh’s deadliest fire tragedies, a seven-story building blaze on Bailey Road, Dhaka, claimed the lives of at least 46 individuals on Thursday night (March 29). The heartbreaking scene left families in agony as they awaited news of their loved ones. Prompt action led to the filing of a case and the arrest of suspects by the police.

Police initiated the case as plaintiffs on Friday (March 1). Charges of negligent homicide have been brought against those involved. Despite swift firefighting efforts, the toll remains grim, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in building designs.

Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Salman Farsi of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna zone confirmed the development, stating that several individuals have been apprehended in connection with the incident.

According to police sources, those involved will be formally arrested and presented before the court following a thorough investigation.

The accused have been charged with negligent homicide in the incident. Later, the DMP announced the detention of three individuals associated with the incident: The detainees are Anwarul Haque and Shafiqur Rahman Rimon, owners of Cha-Chumuk restaurant, and Md Jisan, manager of Kacchi Bhai restaurant.

The fire, which broke out around 9:45 pm on Thursday, engulfed the seven-story building, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuring 12 others. Immediate response from 13 Fire Service units brought the blaze under control by around 11:50 pm. Despite the rescue of 75 individuals from the scene, all injured remain in critical condition.

As per police reports, among the deceased, 20 were men, 18 were women, and eight were children. Authorities have successfully identified 43 individuals and returned the bodies of 40 victims to their respective families.

PM, President Mourn

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, President Mohammed Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow on Friday following a devastating fire at a mixed commercial and residential building on Bailey Road in Dhaka.

RAJUK’s Statement on the Deadly Building Fire

Shockingly, the building that suffered a deadly fire on Thursday night had no permission to accommodate any restaurants, says the Rajdhani Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), a public agency responsible for coordinating urban development in Dhaka.

Despite this, there were eight restaurants, a juice bar, and a coffee shop in the building, in addition to a clothing shop and some electronics outlets. This suggests that the unscrupulous trader bears responsibility for the incident. With each passing day, the risk of the fire are on the rise, claiming the lives of innocent people.

Shraful Islam, an urban planner and director of RAJUK’s detailed area plan (DAP) project mentioned that the building was authorized to host commercial entities, specifically offices, up to the seventh floor. There was no approval for restaurants, showrooms, or other facilities to be accommodated in the building.

Some Catastrophic Fire Incidents

Over the years, the country has witnessed several catastrophic fires, predominantly occurring at industrial sites and commercial complexes, leading to the tragic loss of hundreds of lives. Below are some significant incidents:

• In September 2023, a fire at Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Krishi Market destroyed 217 shops.
• April 2023 witnessed a deadly fire at Bangabazar, the largest clothing marketplace in Bangladesh, destroying 3,845 shops.
• August 2022 saw six fatalities in a restaurant adjacent to a plastic factory in Chawkbazar, Dhaka.
• June 2022 reported 51 deaths from an explosion at the BM Container Depot in Chittagong.
• June 2021 marked a tragic fire at a food processing factory in Narayanganj, claiming 52 lives.
• July 2019 recorded six deaths in a spinning mill fire in Gazipur.
• March 2019 saw significant damage to tin-shed shops near DNCC Market in Gulshan 1 and a deadly fire at FR Tower in Banani.
• July 2017 noted casualties from a boiler explosion in a Gazipur factory.
• September 2016 had a fatal fire at Tampaco Foils north of Dhaka.
• January 2015 reported deaths in a plastics factory fire in Dhaka.
• May 2013 saw fatalities in a garment factory fire in Dhaka.
• January 2013 recorded deaths at Smart Export Garments in Mohammadpur.
• November 2012 marked a tragic fire at Tazreen Fashions factory.
• December 2010 had casualties from a fire at Ha-Meem Group’s sportswear factory near Dhaka.
• June 2010 witnessed a massive fire originating from a chemical warehouse in Nimtoli of Old Dhaka.
• February 2010 reported fatalities from a fire at Garib and Garib sweater factory near Dhaka.
• February 2006 noted casualties from a textile factory fire in Chittagong.
• April 2005 recorded fatalities from a garment factory building collapse in Dhaka.
• January 2005 saw deaths from a garment factory fire outside Dhaka.

Why Repetitions?

In the last 14 years, Dhaka has faced a tragic toll of 267 lives lost in severe fire incidents, including those at FR Tower, Nimtoli, Churihatta, and Bailey Road. The city has been plagued by a series of devastating tragedies, with additional major fires occurring at Bangabazar and New Market in recent years. Experts attribute these incidents to a lack of accountability.

Retired Major General Abdur Rashid, a security analyst, emphasized the importance of raising public awareness to prevent fire accidents. Despite advancements in construction, the risk of fires persists. Rashid stressed the need to prioritize adherence to fire safety protocols and ensure local firefighting equipment is readily available through relevant institutions to mitigate risks during the critical period before the fire service’s arrival.

Nimtoli Tragedy

In Nimtoli, Chankharpool area of the capital, on June 3, 2010, an electric transformer explosion triggered a devastating fire. The flames quickly spread to a chemical warehouse and neighboring buildings containing flammable materials. The fire claimed the lives of 124 individuals, leaving around 50 injured. The blaze ravaged 23 houses, shops, and factories before it was finally extinguished.

Churihatta Tragedy

On February 20, 2019, around 10:30 pm, a cylinder explosion rocked the Churihatta area of Chawkbazar, Dhaka. The ensuing fire, fueled by chemicals stored in Wahed Mansion, quickly spread, engulfing vehicles caught in the traffic on the road, including pickups, private cars, rickshaws, pushcarts, and motorcycles. Tragically, over 50 individuals trapped in the traffic lost their lives in what came to be known as the ‘death valley’ of Churihatta Mor.

The fire blazed for 14 hours before authorities managed to bring it under control, claiming the lives of 67 individuals in the immediate aftermath. The death toll subsequently rose to 71, with hundreds more sustaining injuries

FR Tower Tragedy

On March 28, 2019, flames broke out on the eighth floor of the 22-story FR Tower in Banani. Tragically, the blaze resulted in the loss of at least 27 lives and left over 100 individuals injured.

Moghbazar Blast

On June 27, 2021, around 7:30 pm, an explosion shook the ground floor of the Rakhi Neer building in Moghbazar Wireless area. Situated across from Aarong’s showroom and Rashmono Hospital, the blast tragically claimed the lives of 12 individuals and left over 200 others injured. Witnesses described the explosion as deafening, unlike anything they had heard before.

Fire Safety Measures

The recent fire tragedy on Bailey Road highlighted critical safety deficiencies in buildings, lacking fire exits and proper fire safety measures. Despite government directives to install fire extinguishers and enhance safety protocols, compliance has been lacking. Calls from authorities and experts to incorporate safety features like open balconies and fire exits in building designs have been ignored by architects and building owners, leading to preventable disasters. The recurring loss of lives and property due to negligence in fire safety measures is deeply distressing. The failure of authorities to enforce safety regulations and fulfill promises to prevent such accidents perpetuates the risk of further tragedies. Urgent action is needed to address these issues and prevent future incidents that continue to claim lives and devastate families across the country.

Conclusion

The recent fire tragedy on Bailey Road serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent such disasters. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, the onus lies on all stakeholders to come together, effect meaningful change, and ensure that Bangladesh never again witnesses such senseless loss of life due to preventable fires.