‘No objection to break fast while fighting fire’

During today's Iftar, Bangabazar traders and the firefighters were seen breaking fast amid chaos and ruins of the devastating fire.

Sagor Hasan, who had two shops at Bangabazar market and three shops in the adjacent Anexco Tower, recounted his overwhelming experience to The Daily Star.

"Thinking about the losses whilewitnessing the blaze, even I forgot to break my fast. One of my employees handed me a bottle of water and some dates and reminded me that it was Iftar time," Sagor said.

Photo: Md Abbas/Ashik Abdullah Apu

Robiul Islam, another shop owner, was seen breaking his fast while loading the remaining products of his shop onto a van.

"Fearing that the fire might spread further, we have been shifting the remaining products. I, along with the staffers of my shop, broke fast while moving products," said Robiul.

Amid the chaos and urgency of the situation, almost all the staffers and shop owners were seen breaking their fasts hurriedly as they worked to put out the fire and salvage whatever remained.

Several firefighters were also seen breaking their fasts.

Firefighter Akash and three of his colleagues were spotted taking a break from their duties to break the fast on a firefighting vehicle.

Photo: Md Abbas/Ashik Abdullah Apu

Akash said that it was his second time breaking fast while being on duty and stated, "As I took an oath to serve the people of the country, I have no objection to breaking fast in such circumstances."

Another firefighter, Sohel Rana Sheikh, mentioned that it was his first time breaking fast while dealing with a fire incident.

He added, "We were trained to cope with every situation. So, breaking the fast during extinguishing a fire is normal."

Meanwhile, several voluntary organisations including Bidyanando Foundation were seen distributing iftars to the victim traders and firefighters.