After another fire, we can only point the finger of blame inward

Within 11 days of the Bangabazar fire that burnt to ashes around 3,000 shops, another fire – this time at New Super Market in the capital's Nilkhet area – has left hundreds of traders financially crippled just days before Eid, when sales are supposed to be at their peak. The frequent fires in buildings in Dhaka point to the lack of fire safety precautions and violation of building codes that should have been enforced by the concerned authorities. A total lack of awareness regarding fire safety among those who stay in the buildings/markets is also to blame, although ensuring this is too the responsibility of the authorities.

The cause of Saturday's fire is not known yet; traders have speculated that it was because the footbridge near the market was being demolished – ironically, for safety reasons – and the welding might have caused clothes near the end of the stairs to catch fire, which then spread all over the building. It may be mentioned that, according to an official of the DSCC, the corporation had on several occasions told traders not to pile up clothes in front of their stores.

We do not know the real reason for this fire – some have opined that it may even be sabotage – but we cannot continue to be in denial that many buildings in this city are at risk of fire and collapse due to some common reasons. The buildings are either too old or dilapidated, or there are too many shops housed in the building. These ill-maintained structures are always at risk of gas leaks and short circuits from poorly maintained air-conditioning units of so many shops crammed together. How many of them have fire escapes or fire extinguishers? Hardly any. Fire drills or even basic awareness exercises are also nonexistent. Last year, there were 24,102 fires, according to fire service data. This year, we have already experienced several fires in which lives have perished together with the livelihoods of thousands. The most tragic part is that experts have frequently given recommendations but those have been completely disregarded by the authorities.

An obvious one is vigorous monitoring and inspection by the Rajuk as well as enforcement of relevant rules by the city corporations and the fire service. This would involve ensuring fire safety, electrical safety and structural safety before allowing a building owner to rent out shops. Even a peripheral look at most markets like the New Super Market shows that such inspections have been rare, and none of the precautions have been enforced. When the risks are so high, why this mindboggling apathy?

The fires at Bangabazar and New Super Market occurred at times when there were no people inside the buildings. But it could very well have happened when these markets are thronging with traders, shop staff and Eid shoppers. Are we going to have to wait till we have a high number of casualties before the authorities finally wake up? For the traders who have lost their shops and millions worth of merchandise, the future is bleak and uncertain. The government must help them get back on their feet.