PM expresses dismay over not having fire exit at Bailey Road building

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 1) expressed her resentment over having no fire exit in the commercial building on Bailey Road in the capital that caught fire last night claiming 46 lives so far and injuring many others.

"Despite, we have arranged fire extinguishers but people are not so much conscious. You have witnessed a fire in a multistoried building on Bailey Road in the capital which had no fire exits," she said.

The premier made the remarks while inaugurating the National Insurance Day-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here this morning.

She said her government has instructed time and again to ensure proper safety measures that included setting up fire extinguishers and fire exits in the building.

"But, they (Bailey Road building authority) did not comply the order," she said.

The premier continued: "Forty five people have died. What could be more painful than that?"

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

"The architects don't prepare design accordingly while the owners do not want to leave one inch of land," she said.

The Prime Minister said the blaze-hit building on Bailey Road might have no insurance, adding," So, they will get nothing (due to having no insurance).

She continued: "So, it is urgently needed to create awareness among the people about doing insurance."

The premier asked the authorities concerned to make people particularly the commoners about insurance.

"Insurance can assure the people of giving secured life. If anyone has insurance, he can be confirmed that he will get something," she said.

The Prime Minister asked all concerned to take prompt measures to meet the insurance demand of the people at the quickest possible time._BSS.