From Chawkbazar to Gulshan, from Keraniganj to Gazipur, the fire incidents in and around Dhaka city seem to be occurring at regular intervals. Previously, in case of Chawkbazar it was callousness of home owners who put the lives of people at risk by giving out flats as warehouses for compressed canisters and chemicals. The idiosyncrasy of unprofessional factory owners causing fire to breakout is also a pressing issue.
Many are speculating that the unauthorised setting up of factories may be the key to causing so many fires around the capital. Moreover, according to reports from the fire service around 98 percent buildings in the capital are at risk of fire breaking out in them.
According to the International Fire Safety and Security expo and Electronic Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) the total estimated economic loss from 24 thousands 74 fire incidents which took place in 2019 alone is around Tk 3,30,41, 28, 744. The incidents also claimed lives of 185 while 586 survivors have been maimed.
The people have to come together
and think for their own safety.
Fire safety protocols have to be made
Under such circumstances one cannot help but ask—how many more lives have to be lost for a properly planned city? Does this mean that fire can break out anywhere at any time? Why isn’t proper action being taken by the government?
But, no one considers that this action is not to be taken by the government alone. The people have to come together and think of their own safety. Fire safety protocols have to be made. Both commercial office spaces and residential apartments have to be prepared with proper anti-fire protocols. But protocols are just protocols unless these are followed. Everyone has to be responsible and act responsibly to support the government.
There are so many awards given out to so many companies for being the best at so many things. Why isn’t there any award for the safest home or a best fire safety protocol? These should be encouraged among industrialists too so that such cases of fire breakouts in the country occur no more.
