Fire service to identify risky markets

Fire Service and Civil Defence will start a survey to identify risky market buildings in the capital from today, said its director general Brig Gen Md Main Uddin.

"We will survey as per Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC)," he said yesterday.

"A market, building or an establishment is supposed to have enough exits and entrance points, and fire safety measures in proportion with the number of people who visit or stay there," he said while talking with reporters in front of the fire service headquarters, after visiting Bangabazar, which burnt to ashes in a devastating fire on Tuesday.

Main said fire service members, along with market owners, will conduct a survey and tell the market authorities about their next course of action.

He said, "We will start the survey from Gausia Market in the capital's New Market area, and Rajdhani Super Market in Tikatuli, as we think those may be vulnerable to fire."

In reply to a query, the fire official said they have a list of risky markets and buildings, but he could not immediately say how many are on the list.

"Fire-hydrant systems exist in all developed cities. But these mechanisms only exist in some Dhaka factories," he added.

In a building, a fire-hydrant system is a safety measure or emergency equipment that provides a source of water to assist firefighters during a fire, according to fire service officials.

"We are continuously holding talks with the home ministry and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha to implement the fire-hydrant system in the city," said the DG.

Four years ago, fire service declared that the Bangabazar Shopping Complex was at risk of fire.

In reply to a comment that the risk notice is not making any difference, the DG said, "Our job is to identify the risky buildings and notify."

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the businesses should vacate complexes that fire service has identified or will identify as risky.

He made the remarks while talking with reporters yesterday after visiting Bangabazar.

Contacted, urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan welcomed the decision.

He, however, said, "The authorities usually take such initiatives after any big incident. But the authorities have to keep the activities under surveillance and compel owners' associations to operate buildings as per BNBC."

Fire service earlier conducted a survey in 2017 covering 1,300 markets across the country, he said. "Only five markets were found safe from the risk of catching fire. Some 620 markets were marked as high risk or risky."

Bangabazar complex was one of the highly risky markets, he added.