Fire
Fire at Ctg tyre warehouse under control, train communication resumes
The fire that broke out at a tyre warehouse in Dewanhat area of Chattogram port city on Saturday noon was brought under control after around one and a half hours.
Abdul Hamid, deputy assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense, said the blaze was brought under control after around one and a half hours of frantic efforts by firefighters from 11 units.
The train movement between Dhaka and Chattogram resumed after the fire was brought under control, he said.
The origin of the fire and the extent of damages could not be ascertained immediately, the fire service officer said.
Earlier, the fire broke out in the warehouse, adjacent to Dhaka-Chattogram rail track around 12:45 pm and spread soon.
Also Read: Fire breaks out at Teknaf Rohingya camp
Train communication of Chattogram with Dhaka and other parts of the country got stopped following the fire as the Chattogram-bound ‘Sonar Bangla’ express train failed to enter the Chattogram rail station.
Besides, two trains-Bijoy and Mahanagar Express trains- remained stuck at Marshal Yard.
Breaching Rajuk plan: Most markets under Dhaka city corporations at fire risk
Most markets under Dhaka's two city corporations are at fire risk — major reasons being breaching the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) plan and not maintaining fire service standards.
More fire incidents can occur if Rajuk and other relevant authorities do not respond promptly.
Mouchak and Anarkali markets in Dhaka’s Malibagh, Siddheshwari areas are adjacent to each other. Almost every floor of the Mouchak market has more shops than the original plan accommodates. The shops’ designs have also been altered.
Shops have even been set up in spaces that were marked as passageways within the market. From the bottom of these two markets to the four sides, there is no room in the corner. Furthermore, the entry and exit points are quite small, making these two markets prone to fire incidents.
Also Read: Fire Service’s recommendations for markets to be implemented with priority: State Minister
Meanwhile, Chandni Chawk market near New Market is also at fire risk. Condition at Chandni Chawk is similar to Mouchak’s. The Rajuk plan and requirements were not implemented at this market either.
It should be mentioned that a fire at New Supermarket — next to New Market and opposite Chandni Chawk — was devastated by a fire on April 15.
In Sayedabad Supermarket, Phulbaria Sundarban market, Nagar Plaza, City Plaza, and other markets and shopping centres, there are many more shops than the original Rajuk-approved plans allow.
Fires are also likely to occur in crowded markets with no fire extinguishing system.
Also Read: Taposh urges long-term initiative to free markets of fire risk
Similarly, Rajuk Uttara Shopping Complex has significantly more shops than the market is meant to accommodate, according to the development authority's plan. There are illegal structures everywhere, including the basement, as well as the market's entrance.
A fire service team recently visited Gausia Market and found that Rajuk rules were not followed. If a fire occurs as a result of breaching the plans, not enough people will be able to come down the stairs. Electrical wires were also seen unconcealed everywhere in the market. There is no fire alarm system either.
Except for shopping malls like Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and Jamuna Future Park, almost all markets in Dhaka city are at fire risk.
Local influential people, according to the fire department, have set up marketplaces and allotted shops at their discretion.
Also Read: 58 markets in Dhaka at risk of fire; 9 marked 'extremely risky'
These markets, according to city planner Adil Mohammad Khan, were constructed without regard to any standard or regulation. The tin-shed markets are also quite risky.
If not closely monitored, there will be more fire incidents in the future, he warned.
5 sustain burn injuries in Ctg building fire
Five people were injured when a building partially collapsed due to an explosion that triggered a fire at Razakhali in Chattogram city early today.
Four of the injured were identified as Md Tarek, 28; Nur Hossain; Md Mannan, 34; and Rabin, 22. All of them were undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
Abdur Rahim, officer-in-charge of Bakolia Police Station, said an explosion occurred around 1 am on the ground floor of a four-storey building where a dried fish processing cold storage was housed.
A part of the ground floor partially collapsed due to the explosion that triggered a fire, leaving five people injured.
Also read: Fire at building in Dhaka’s Wari doused
On information, seven firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
Toxic ammonia gas has spread following the explosion.
“What caused the explosion could not be known immediately,” said OC.
The building was evacuated by the firefighters.
21 dead in Beijing hospital fire, dozens evacuated
Twenty-one people have died in a fire at a Beijing hospital that forced the evacuation of dozens of patients, Chinese state media reported.
Staff removed 71 patients after the fire broke out Tuesday in the inpatient department of Beijing Changfeng Hospital, state media including CGTN reported.
Videos of the fire circulating on social media show black smoke billowing from the building, with some people climbing out of the windows using what appears to be makeshift ropes made out of bedsheets. Others took refuge on air conditioning units outside the windows.
State media said the fire has been extinguished and rescue work has been completed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the reports said.
PM Hasina allocates Tk 9 crore as Eid gift for Bangabazar fire victims
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated Tk nine crore as Eid gift for the shop workers, traders and owners at Bangabazar who have been affected in a devastating fire incident recently.
The money has already been sent to their mobile phone, said Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah.
Read More: Traders of Bangabazar set up around 800 temporary shops at the site.
5-member probe body formed over New Super Market fire
A five-member committee was formed on Monday to probe the fire at the New Super Market, next to Dhaka New Market on Saturday morning.
Headed by Md Wahidul Islam, director (administration and Finance) of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters, the committee has been asked to submit its report within five working days.
The other members of the committee are—Babul Chakrabarty, deputy director (planning), Senior Station officer of Palashi Fire Station, Warehouse inspector Golam Mostafa and Foysalur Rahman, deputy assistant director.
Earlier, a massive fire that broke out at New Super Market on Saturday was doused on Sunday morning around 27 hours after it started.
Also read; New Super Market fire: Traders risking lives to save valuables
It burnt down several shops and establishments during this busy Eid shopping season.
A total of 28 firefighting units and teams of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the effort to douse the fire. Some 32 people, including firefighters, fell sick from the heavy smoke while firefighters were trying to douse the blaze.
Uttara BGB Market fire doused
A fire that broke out at Uttara’s BGB Market in Dhaka this morning, was doused at 11:25 am.
The fire broke out around 10:25 am and was brought under control around 11:10 am.
Also Read: Dhaka's New Supermarket fire finally doused after 27 hours
Fire Service Headquarters Duty Officer Lima Khanam said that the first unit of firefighters reached the spot around 10:35 am.
Also Read: 58 markets in Dhaka at risk of fire; 9 marked 'extremely risky'
Six units of firefighters worked to douse the blaze at BGB Market in Uttara. No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report.
Dhaka's New Supermarket fire finally doused after 27 hours
The massive fire at New Supermarket, next to Dhaka New Market, was finally doused this morning (April 16, 2023)- around 27 hours after it started and burnt down several shops and establishments during this busy Eid shopping season.
Lima Khanom, duty officer (control room) of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters said the flame was finally doused around 9 am today.
Earlier yesterday, the fire broke out at around 5:40 am.
Read more: Fire at Dhaka’s New Supermarket now under control
A total of 28 firefighting units and teams of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the effort to douse the fire. The fire was brought under control around 9:10 am yesterday.
Some 32 people, including firefighters, fell sick from the heavy smoke while firefighters were trying to douse the blaze.
On April 4 morning, a massive fire broke out at Bangabazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka, burning several thousand shops to ashes. A total of six adjacent markets were also burnt.
Read More: Fire safety system of New Supermarket was very weak: Fire Service
The fire was doused on April 7, over 75 hours after it broke out.
Investigate if BNP-Jamaat are behind recent fire incidents to cripple economy: PM Hasina asks authorities
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the authorities concerned to investigate whether opposition BNP and Jamaat, who had unleashed a campaign of terror and arson attacks during 2013-14, are involved in the recent fire incidents in the country.
“It should be investigated whether they (BNP-Jamaat) are taking a different path by causing incidents like fire and cripple the economy,” she said.
The prime minister said this while speaking at the Awami League Local Government Nomination Board meeting held at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Her call came even as another massive fire broke out in Dhaka's New Super Market gutting scores of shops early Saturday.
Also read: Intelligence agencies urged to probe if sabotage is behind frequent fire incidents: Fire Service DG
Hasina, also the president of Awami League, asked to investigate whether the fire incidents in various markets were conspiracy or sabotage to hurt the economy.
She asked to increase surveillance in important markets across the country.
“Everyone should be more aware. Everyone has to make arrangements on their own initiative to guard (their establishments). All efforts by the government will continue,” she said.
She also said that unwanted crowds must not be allowed to gather during the fire fighters' battle to control the blaze and strict action will be taken in case of any obstruction regarding this matter.
The PM said that when the first fire incident occurred it was thought to be an accident.
“But after the couple of other fire incidents at the same time of the first one… the fire incidents are taking place after 6am. Surveillance should be increased and other markets have to remain alert,” she said.
She also mentioned that it has been noticed that when the fire service comes they face obstacles by some people.
“Why will they face obstacles and while they tried to douse the fire some people with sticks and blunt instruments attacked the fire fighters. Who are these people?, " she wondered.
She said that a careful study of the four recent fire incidents at shopping malls in the city suggests these have been either planned or manipulated.
“We know that some political parties are there to wage movement after Eid, cripple the economy and oust the government. Yes, you can oust the government, but what are the faults of these common people and businessmen,” she asked.
She said that businesspeople have been the worst sufferers as fire incidents hit them at a time when they looked for brisk business.
“This will not be spared easily, and we have increased our surveillance in this matter,” she said.
She also urged the people to remain alert.
Recalling the arson terrorism by the BNP-Jamaat clique in the recent past, she suspected that they might resort to another path aimed at hurting the economy.
"It should be properly investigated," she asserted.
“In the past they burnt the common people and now wonder whether they have taken a different path to cripple the economy. We have to unearth this mystery,” she said.
She requested all to remain alert regarding BNP-Jamaat’s change of strategy of taking to arson terrorism in another form.
“We have to keep this under watch,” she added.
Intelligence agencies urged to probe if sabotage is behind frequent fire incidents: Fire Service DG
Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department Brig General Md Moin Uddin has urged the intelligence agencies to investigate whether there was any sabotage behind the recent series of fire incidents.
He said this while replying to a question from journalists after a fire broke out in New Supermarket near New Market early Saturday (April 15, 2023) morning.
"We're working for you with risks. One after another fire incident is taking place. I will call on the intelligence agencies to check if there is any sabotage,” he said.
Read more: Fire at Dhaka’s New Supermarket now under control
The fire broke out on the third floor of New Supermarket and the members of the Border Guard Bangladesh fire service, police, Rapid Action Battalion, army, air force, Dhaka WASA water-carrying vehicles, were working to bring the fire under control, he added.
“We still don't know why the fire broke out here. We have brought the fire under control but could not douse it,” said Brig Gen Moin adding that they are facing difficulty to bring the fire under control because of onlookers.
"If everyone remains aware at every level, then it is possible to survive the fire. High volt bulbs are used here. Accidents happen because they are not aware. We urge shop owners in all markets to refrain from using high-voltage lights,” the fire service DG said.
Read More: Fire at Barishal Plaza, opposite Bangabazar Market, doused