In a heart-wrenching turn of events, another fire catastrophe took place in Dhaka’s Bailey Road on the night of 29 February 2024. The fire engulfed a commercial establishment on Bailey Road that housed several restaurants, casting a shadow of grief over the city.
The incident unfolded on Thursday at 9:50 PM BST in the Chumuk restaurant on the ground floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall on Bailey Road and quickly spread to other floors, trapping dozens inside.
The blaze was under control after two hours with the relentless effort of firefighters. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of at least 46 individuals and left over 33 others with severe injuries. The firefighters were successful at rescuing a total of 75 people from the rooftop and various floors of the building. Among those rescued were 42 individuals found in an unconscious state. Ten critically injured people are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute.
Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, the director of DMC, stated that most victims died of asphyxiation – carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke suffocation or burns to the airways. Only a few bodies displayed external burn injuries.
Lt Col Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations) of the fire service, told this newspaper that the bodies of 32 individuals who succumbed to smoke, were recovered from the Kachchi Bhai restaurant on the first floor.
Victims experiences
“ ‘Where’s the emergency exit? Where’s the emergency exit?’ people were shouting all around.”
But to their horror, they found there wasn’t any functional emergency exit through which they could save their lives from the inferno. Taking treatment in hospitals, some of the rescued victims described how people resorted to extreme measures to save their lives amid the tragedy. Lying on a bed in DMCH, Iqbal, who worked in one of the restaurants, described:
“I was working as usual, like other days. Suddenly, I saw smoke all around. It was difficult to even breathe.”
People fled to the rooftop to escape a fire and were rescued. Iqbal also noted the lack of emergency exits and the impossibility of using stairs due to the fire’s ground floor origin. Mujahid, currently admitted at DMCH, added that he was working as a chef at Khana’s during the fire accident. Mujahid followed his manager’s instructions and evacuated to the rooftop. He was shocked to see many people jumping off to escape the flames and smoke.
There were some rescue stories heartwarming to hear. Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder and his family were celebrating a birthday at Zesty restaurant when they smelled smoke. Recognizing the danger due to his disaster management expertise, Majumder led his family and other patrons upstairs, away from the thickening smoke. Despite the lack of safety gear and the increasing density of the smoke, they managed to reach the rooftop. Their survival was thanks to Majumder’s quick thinking and the bravery of the firefighters. In his words:
“I wouldn’t be here if they didn’t reach in time.”
With the overwhelming arrival of dead bodies in a relatively short period, DMCH morgue doors were forced to shut as relatives of the victims tried to rush inside to identify their loved ones. Those allowed in emerged distraught. Bashona Rani, having identified her family members, sat defeated outside the morgue, overcome with grief. She had just seen the bodies of her grandchildren Shampurna Poddar, 12, Sun Poddar, 8, and her daughter Poppy Roy. She wailed,
“What kind of fate is this?”
Tarek Ahmmed, husband of Meheran Kabir, added that his wife was waiting for him at a restaurant. The last time he ever heard from Meheran was when she called him while she was trapped inside the Kacchi Bhai restaurant. He cried and uttered,
“She told me, ‘I can’t breathe.’”
The reason behind the Accident
Initial investigations show that the building was originally constructed as a residential complex, but commercial certificates were obtained by the accused and other businesses for operating on various floors.
An expert team from the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh, visited the accident site and pointed out that the building was designed as a residential or office complex. It lacked the criteria for a commercial restaurant establishment. Basic architectural design principles for a multi-story building like fire exits, fire stairs, and fire-resistant structures were absent. It also lacked sufficient firefighting equipment like fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers.
They also added that it’s against the BNBC code to operate an industrial-grade kitchen in a residential building.
These businesses lacked permission from the fire service office to use gas cylinders and stoves for cooking.
The negligence, recklessness, and carelessness of the building owner and the accused are cited as contributing factors leading to the tragic deaths and injuries. The legal action aims to hold those responsible accountable for the lapses in safety measures and regulatory violations that resulted in the loss of lives and injuries during the Bailey Road fire incident.
Preventative Measures
Dhaka dwellers have seen enough of these horrific, gut-wrenching fire incidents. To stop them from ever happening again, we all should come forward as responsible citizens and the related authorities. Preventing fire accidents in buildings requires a combination of proactive measures and awareness. Here are some steps that can significantly reduce the risk:
Better Designed Buildings
All types of commercial and non-commercial buildings should be designed by certified professionals and approved after close inspection by authoritative bodies. Fire stairs, fire egress, and evacuation routes should be synchronized with the overall building design. Interiors should be designed in such a way that there are fewer flammable materials. For seated areas, sufficient space between rows for easy movement should be maintained. Designers should ensure that evacuation routes are accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.
Installation of modern fire alarm systems that can detect smoke or flames promptly is a must. Ensuring that alarms are strategically placed throughout the premises to cover all areas. Different types of fire extinguishers should be placed at accessible locations. Advanced fire suppression systems like sprinklers can also be a good option.
Regular Safety Inspections
Building inspection teams across every major city in Bangladesh are needed. City corporations alongside city development authorities should work together on this issue and take legal action against those building owners and businesses who don’t obey the safety precautions.
People in charge of building and business establishments should perform routine checks on wiring, gas pipes, and electrical systems. Address any issues promptly to prevent fire hazards. Keep entrances well-lit, clearly signposted, and free from obstructions.
Ensure that exit doors are easily accessible and unblocked. Developing and practicing evacuation plans for crowded spaces should be included in all forms of professional practices. Training staff and visitors on evacuation procedures can lead to emphasized calm and orderly movement.
Public Awareness of Fire Safety
Panic can escalate quickly during emergencies. Bangladeshis mostly don’t know how to handle these types of situations. Educating people on the importance of staying calm and methodically accessing the situation, can eventually save their lives one day. Our educational institutions can develop programs to educate the public about fire safety and conduct regular safety drills and simulations. These programs can also contain training for staff and volunteers to handle emergencies and designate roles for crowd management during crises.
Overall thoughts
This incident shows us how the lack of proper open and social spaces has led to a surge of restaurants in the commercial streets of Dhaka. The scarcity of recreational areas exacerbates the situation. Residents lack safe and accessible places for leisure, which drives them toward restaurants. These spaces serve as gathering spots for people seeking relaxation and social interaction. They offer an escape from daily routines, a place to celebrate occasions, and a chance to connect with friends and colleagues.
An array of better open and socially interactive places can divert a larger portion of the crowd looking for a place to relax, from restaurants to parks, libraries, etc. This can lead to restaurants taking better measures to ensure user satisfaction and safety.
Some Safety Tips
When trapped in a fire emergency, some measures can save one’s life:
- Cover your face and nostrils with a wet cloth like a towel, handkerchief, etc. It can safeguard your larynx and lungs from the harmful smoke.
- If you encounter smoke, put your head down. Smoke and vapor are lighter than air, so they tend to float above in a closed place. Lowering your face and body can buy you some time to evacuate and provide your lungs with fresh air.”