News Desk :
The lives of several firefighters could have been saved if the owners of the BM Container Depot properly informed them about the chemicals that were being stored there, fire service officials have said.
At least nine firefighters died, and many others were injured while trying to douse the blaze that broke out at the inland container depot in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong on Saturday night. Most of the deaths among the firefighters were the result of an unexpected explosion while they were working to put out the fire.
Chittagong Fire Service Deputy Director Anisur Rahman said: “We learned very late from the depot officials that there were containers that contained hydrogen peroxide. No one from the organization informed the first responders about the chemical.”
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that is used in several sectors. It is notoriously flammable and generally bottled at high pressure.
“Chemical fires like this are very difficult to put out. We are trying to douse it with foam and fog,” Anisur added.
He also complained that the number of fire extinguishers and water supply at the depot was inadequate.
BM Container Depot Ltd is a Netherlands-Bangladesh joint venture company. Bert Pronk from the Netherlands is the chairman of the company and Mostafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi businessman, is the managing director.
Prominent Dutch businessman Bert Pronk has jointly invested in various important industries in Bangladesh, including Chittagong Denim Mill Limited and BM Container Depot Limited. Pronk has long had a business relationship with Mostafizur Rahman and his brothers.
Mujibur Rahman and Shafiqur Rahman, siblings of Mostafizur Rahman, are both also directors of BM Container Depot Limited. Mujibur Rahman is also the chairman of City Home Ltd.
The owners could not be reached for comment in the immediate aftermath of the fire, but they later issued a statement promising maximum compensation for all of the victims.
Director Mujibur Rahman said: “The victims will have our full support. Arrangements are being made for the injured to get the best treatment.”
BM Container Depot Ltd has been operating from the beginning of May 2011. It is approximately 20km away from the Chittagong port.
According to the BM Container Depot Ltd website, it has modern ICD machinery and equipment such as reach stackers, empty container handlers, forklifts, cranes, prime movers, trailers, and more. Most of the machinery and equipment was imported from Japan, Sweden, Sri Lanka, and India.
The website also claims that the depot is a global standard off-dock facility with advanced security systems and automation.
