Bangladesh Restaurant Fire: Safety Lapses Blamed for Tragedy
**DHAKA:** Bangladesh firefighters revealed that the tragic Dhaka restaurant blaze, which claimed the lives of 46 people, was a result of glaring safety oversights. The fire broke out at a popular biryani restaurant located in a seven-floor commercial property in the upscale Bailey Road neighborhood in the capital.
DHAKA: Bangladesh firefighters revealed that the tragic Dhaka restaurant blaze, which claimed the lives of 46 people, was a result of glaring safety oversights. The fire broke out at a popular biryani restaurant located in a seven-floor commercial property in the upscale Bailey Road neighborhood in the capital.
The blaze quickly spread throughout the entire building, which housed multiple eateries, turning into a devastating inferno that took two hours for fire crews to extinguish. According to Rezaul Karim, the fire service operations director, the situation was exacerbated by the presence of cooking gas cylinders stored haphazardly in stairwells and restaurant kitchens, leading to multiple explosions during the fire.
Lack of Safety Measures
Main Uddin, the national fire services chief, highlighted that the building lacked basic safety features such as multiple staircases or a fire exit, resulting in the tragic loss of lives due to suffocation. The fire officials suspect that the blaze originated from a gas cylinder catching fire accidentally.
Police inspector Bacchu Mia reported that two more individuals succumbed to their injuries on Friday while receiving treatment at the hospital, raising the death toll to 46. Additionally, around 15 people remained in critical condition, further amplifying the gravity of the situation.
Heartbreaking Testimonies
Asif Pathan, a relative of one of the victims, recounted the harrowing experience of losing his cousin in the fire. His cousin, Minhaj Khan, was unable to escape and tragically perished in the blaze. Pathan described how his cousin's body had been charred beyond recognition, awaiting DNA tests for formal identification.
The survivors' accounts painted a grim picture of the chaotic scene, with individuals resorting to desperate measures to escape the flames. Sohel, a restaurant manager, shared how they used a water pipe to descend the building, sustaining injuries in the process. Professor Kamruzzaman Majumdar detailed how around 50 people sought refuge on the rooftop, awaiting rescue amidst the chaos.
Call for Investigation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, authorities launched an investigation into the fire's cause, with police officials meticulously documenting the devastation within the building. The incident prompted a wave of concerned family members flocking to hospitals, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
The catastrophic event underscores the lax safety standards prevalent in Bangladesh, where incidents of explosions and fires due to negligence are alarmingly common. The country has a history of deadly blazes stemming from various factors, including gas cylinders, faulty electrical wiring, and substandard infrastructure.
The haunting memories of past tragedies, such as the 2012 garment factory fire that claimed over a hundred lives, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and enforcement in Bangladesh. The recent restaurant fire stands as a somber testament to the devastating consequences of overlooking safety protocols, leaving a trail of grief and loss in its wake.
Hi, Ali Rahman in the house! From Chittagong, Bangladesh, I've been on a wild ride from Banskhali Bangabandhu High School to Govt. Alaol College and beyond, landing me at National University. Now, I'm here to dish out the lowdown on national issues and global news. Stick around for a fresh take on what's shaking up our world! Connect With Me