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Fire in markets and our fears

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Published: 12:04, 5 January 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Fire in markets and our fears

Mostafijur Rahman Nasim: The people of Bangladesh warmly welcomed the New Year following the Gregorian calendar. However, some recent incidents panicked the countrymen in just first week of the year.
 
Fire in Gulshan DCC market is one of them. The massive fire that ravaged the market in Dhaka's Gulshan-1 has been doused 15 hours after it erupted on Tuesday night.

Around dawn, a portion of the market with 296 shops collapsed following the fire. Over 234 shops were heavily damaged in the fire. The loss is estimated at Tk 200 crore.

The traders and businessmen were seen crying in front of the flammable market where their source of living and means were. All the hopes and dreams turned into ashes before their eyes. The two-storey mall had almost 250 shops. Furniture shops occupy a large portion of the ground floor along with some eateries.

However, the fire fighters brought the blaze under control after their frantic efforts. But, the losses of shop owners become high as the fire came under control after 15 hours. So far, there is only confusion as to what caused the fire, and it is a matter of utmost importance that the authorities get to the bottom of what really happened.

Some of the businessmen claimed that the fire incident was an arson attack. National Human Rights Commission Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque fears that the incident was an act of sabotage.

Besides, fire broke out again at a 10-storey building in Mirpur-12 of Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon (January 4). Four units of firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the fire minutes after the incident.

Similar fire incidents took place across the country all the year round. Traders, businessmen and general people face incurring loss due to the unexpected plight, fire.

A lot of fire incidents took place in the country but, unfortunately some incidents shows our failure shamelessly. Our heroic fire fighters always try their best to reduce the loss from fire. But in most of the time they face some unusual problems like narrow road, lack of water source. The actual problem is- they could not work properly for some barriers. In addition, people are not alert about fire preparation.

Unfortunately, even hours later, the fire fighters were unable to fully extinguish the devastating fire which caused the collapse of parts of the building including the kitchen market, and damaged several hundred shops in the market.

The authority should find out what was the main reason behind the fire at Gulshan DCC market. Markets and shops are also an important place for all.  

Furthermore, campaign or awareness is must to reduce the loss from any fire incidents. Fire is a disaster that can be caused by many reasons. Only awareness and effective role of fire fighters can save the general people and their belongings.  

Fire in slums, house, shops or markets always spread panic among people. So, proper steps and knowledge on fire is must. Emergency exits, fire extinguishers and other important steps should be mandatory in every important place.

We expect no more devastating fire incident will took place in coming days and the newly arrived 2017 will be safe for all people.

risingbd/DHAKA/5 Jan 2017/Nasim/Augustin Sujan

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