The number of fire incidents increased four times over the last two decades, as the country’s urban areas continue to expand without basic fire safety infrastructure. According to data provided by the Fire Service and Civil Defence, around 285,000 fire hazards occured in the country between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2020, causing an estimated financial loss of around Tk 6,900 crore. In 2020, 21,073 fire incidents were recorded. The figure was the second-highest of the period under review and was second only to 2019 which saw 24,074 incidents of fire.
Experts attribute this rise in fire incidents to unplanned urbanisation, violation of building construction rules, a culture of non-enforcement of the law, carelessness, increased use of gas cylinders and different electronic devices, and lack of supervision by the authorities concerned. As per the statistics, between 1 January 2016 and December 31, 2020, 71,684 or over 71 percent of fires originated from electric disturbances, various types of burners, and burning ends of cigarettes. Experts referring to a previous research said most high-rises in Dhaka and other cities were without fire safety measures, primarily as they were constructed flouting the building code.
Recent statistics suggest, fire incidents in garment factories have declined sharply, because fire safety measures have been strictly maintained at most garment factories as Accord and Alliance created huge pressure on owners following the Tazreen tragedy of 2012 that killed 112 workers. However, the quality of fire safety is not being ensured in other offices, factories, and residential houses. The government with the help of non-government stakeholders can train people in the major cities and fire-prone districts to help deal with fire hazards before firefighters arrive. Basic fire safety issues should be in curricula and fire drills regularly held in educational institutions as well as the community. The government should strictly enforce the building code to ensure urban fire safety.
