'Accidents or sabotage;' mayor wants probe
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon has asked the fire service to probe possibility of sabotage in the recent fire outbreaks.
His comments came on the day of a double fire incident in Gulshan and a day after the deadly blaze in Banani’s FR Tower that killed 26 people.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “People are now asking questions if these fires are mere accidents or sabotage,” Mayor Khokon said at a view exchange meeting at DSCC auditorium.
His call for probing sabotage was out to the members of Fire Service and Civil Defence, who were present at the meeting among other stakeholders.
He voiced concern whether a vested quarter is engaged behind the fire incidents and called upon the businessmen and traders to remain alert in this regard.
CHART: Deaths in Bangladesh fire incidents 2006-2018
Data source: Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence. Chart by: Zaid Kalam
Representatives of Dhaka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (DCCI), fire service, trade bodies and other city corporation officials were present.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam declined to make a comment over the issue while talking to The Daily Star over the fire incidents on his turf.
“I can’t say anything whether these fire incidents are the acts of sabotage without the reports of the investigation,” he said over telephone.
“But, I would like to call upon all people from their respective positions to remain alert against any kinds of fire incidents,” the DNCC mayor said.
A swathe of fire incidents in currently sweeping Dhaka city with two major outbreaks reported in the last three days.
The fire at Banani’s commercial FR Tower last Thursday, where 26 people were killed, swept the citizens over their feet in shock and horror.
Today, a major fire outbreak at DNCC supermarket, the second such major fire there after 2017, gutted at least 211 shops and left traders in losses.
Also today, another fire was reported at the Delta Life Tower in Gulshan-2. However, it was doused even before fire service units could reach the spot.
Comments