Government authorities have a brief awakening whenever there is a terrible fire incident.
The high ups of these government agencies promise to implement a number of fresh measures to stop recurrences during their media interviews. However, in and around capital Dhaka, little real action is being taken to prevent the recurrence of these kinds of major fire incidents.
At least seven restaurants were situated in the city's Green Cozy Cottage building at Bailey Road, where the fire broke out on Thursday night.
Chief Town Planner Ashraful Islam of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) stated that they approved the use of the top level exclusively for residential usage, and the first six floors as office spaces.
At Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, a few of those eateries were open for business for several years. However, the regulatory agency RAJUK does not close restaurants or impose fines on those who break the terms and conditions of the approval.
Every restaurant at the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall was operating without following fire safety regulations. The stairs were actually used to store gas cylinders, which made the fire even more intense. As a result, the terrible neglect of oversight had caused a fire to grow out of control.
One of the owners received two letters from the Fire Service and Civil Defense requiring the implementation of a fire safety plan within ninety days. However, they escaped penalties throughout that time.
Regarding the allegation, a fire service officer stated on condition of anonymity, that they lack the legal authority to prosecute anyone who disobeys fire safety regulations.
Rajuk is given the opportunity to undergo new inspections every five years when occupancy certificates are renewed in accordance with Building Construction Rules-2008. However, it is not being correctly enforced.
According to Bangladesh Institute of Planners President Adil Mohammad Khan, every establishment—especially a business—needs to have its own fire safety protocols. "But most buildings in Dhaka do not have any in-built system, nor do they follow fire safety rules properly," he stated.
There is no chance to operate a restaurant in a business or residential building, according to architect Iqbal Habib.
Structures intended for broad commercial use do not have the kind of kitchen needed for a restaurant. Special arrangements are needed for restaurant kitchens. The top business organization in Bangladesh, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), sought legal action against regulatory organizations deemed to have been negligent in the fire disaster.
"Businessmen had authorization to execute their operations. What were the regulatory agencies of the government doing? Inquiring about potential negligence on the part of regulating agencies such as the fire department, RAJUK, and others, he made a call for attention.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Md. Amin Helaly stated, "Those responsible for approving the building should be held accountable since they are the ones who granted approval following their inspection." Amin Helaly chastised stakeholders for blaming exclusively company owners, stating, "The main authorities are the entities that regulate these buildings." They are in charge of the legislation, and as businesspeople, all we can do is make recommendations, which is exactly what we did." "They merely attempt to transfer the burden to the businessmen by mentioning warnings. Until this blame game ends, no solution can be reached," he continued. He pushed for the prosecution of individuals who grant company licenses.
Rajuk Chief Town Planner Ashraful Islam said, "Most of the buildings at Bailey Road were approved for residential or commercial purposes. Approval for restaurants in such buildings is very rare.
"Buildings approved for residential purposes cannot accommodate restaurants in any way. Most of the buildings on Bailey Road have violated the law by accommodating restaurants and showrooms," he added.
"The building owners bear primary responsibility for this situation. They are profiting from renting out spaces without proper permissions. These structures, adorned with glass facades, are highly susceptible to accidents. Glass buildings can become hazardous zones akin to suicide spots," Ashraful further said.
Zakir Uddin Ahmed, secretary-general of the Electricity Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (Essab), said, "There were no fire safety arrangements or fire exits in the building [Green Cozy Cottage]. We have seen gas cylinders on every floor. If all of them exploded, no one in the building would survive."
He further said, "Most buildings at Bailey Road do not have fire safety or fire exits. Even after repeatedly alerting government institutions, we do not see much initiative. Responsible organisations need to be strict."
Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen on Saturday said that he believed the Public Works Department and RAJUK need to be more vigilant.