Staff Reporter:
Firefighting officials yesterday again raised serious concerns over rampant violations of building codes in Old Dhaka after a fire broke out at a plastic factory in Islambagh’s Chairmanghat area under Lalbagh police jurisdiction.
Deputy Director of the Dhaka Division of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), Salehuddin Ah-med, said unplanned residential-cum-commercial buildings in the area pose grave risks to residents and emergency responders alike.
“No building code is followed while constructing buildings in the Chairmanghat area. People are living there at serious risk to their lives,” he told reporters during a briefing at the fire site.
He also pointed out that the area’s extremely narrow roads severely hampered firefighting efforts, mak-ing it difficult for fire engines and personnel to access the affected buildings.
The fire, which broke out around 1:30pm, was brought under control at about 4:00pm after nearly two and a half hours of intense efforts.
A total of 11 firefighting engines from six fire stations were deployed to contain the blaze.
Firefighters reached the scene within 20 minutes of receiving the alert and immediately began rescue and fire control operations, Salehuddin said.
No casualties have been reported so far, he said.
However, the cause of the fire and the extent of damage could not be determined immediately.
Fire officials reiterated the need for strict enforcement of building codes and improved urban planning to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety in densely populated areas of the capital.
