An inspection report of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD) has identified careless disposal of cigarettes as the third major cause of fire incidents in Bangladesh as it causes around 16.44 per cent of fire incidents took place in 2020, triggering concern among experts.
A total of 21,073 fire incidents occurred in the country last year, damaging properties worth over Tk 2.46 billion, according to the report.
Of the total fire incidents, at least 3,465 took place due to burning cigarette, whereas it caused some 15 per cent fire incidents in 2019, and 13.55 per cent in 2018.
Electric short circuit, fire from burner, ignited cigarette butt and burning ash were cited as major causes of fire, according to the BFSCD.
Short circuit caused the highest of 36.68 per cent fire incidents in 2020, followed by burner fire, 16.91 per cent, as per its data.
The fire incidents killed 154, including 106 women, and injured 371, including 78 women, in 2020, whereas at least 184 people were killed and 560 others injured in 2019. A total of 24,074 fire incidents took place in 2019, causing more than Tk 3.30 billion as property damage.
The country experienced as many as 19,642 fire incidents in 2018, and incurred a total loss of Tk 3.85 billion. Some 130 people were killed and 664 injured in fire in 2018.
Talking to The Financial Express, the experts expressed doubt whether or not any other country across the globe has seen such top reasons for fire.
They also sought immediate and pragmatic measures, including mass awareness campaigns from the government, to reduce fire incidents.
Though smoking is banned in public places, smokers are killing themselves and others, ravaging houses and properties due to their sheer callousness.
The experts blamed poor monitoring and non-implementation of laws as well as lack of public awareness for such incidents.
Besides, good practices along with self-awareness, compliance of business entities, modern fire equipment, and concerted efforts of all stakeholders are badly needed to minimise fire incidents, loss of property and number of casualties, they opined.
When contacted, Motahar Hoshan Khan, president of Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB), said consumption of cigarettes reduced last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but the number of fire incidents due to cigarette butt increased.
Working hours and people's movements halved in 2020, but fire incidents were higher than in past years.
In terms of burner-related fire incidents, the government should monitor and enforce its existing laws, as poor, substandard and age-old gas cylinders are being used without proper maintenance and repairing, he added.
Brig Gen (retd) Ali Ahmed Khan, former director general (DG) of the BFSCD, said the fire department still exists in the same old structure, though paradigm shift, like the use of modern amenities and technologies, has occurred in all sectors.
Praising the BFSCD's current role, he insisted that the government should further overhaul and strengthen the department for the sake of public interest and reducing man-made calamities.
Use of cheap, poor electronic and electrical equipment in residences, hospitals, factories and other establishments is one of the reasons behind blazes. Their owners have a role to reduce such incidents, he opined.
Mr Ahmed also emphasised launching mandatory arrangements for fire safety audit by the department in residences, hospitals, factories and other establishments to curb fire incidents.
Lt Col Zillur Rahman, the BFSCD Director (Operation & Maintenance), said under the guidance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a project is now underway to restructure and overhaul the department, which is a landmark move.
"Our top priority is to enforce the National Building Code properly, so that building owners follow it to ensure fire safety."
The positive thing is that more building owners are submitting their fire safety plans, and their number increased by 20 per cent in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Some 13,000 firemen are now providing service to 180 million people, which is a gigantic task. At present, there are 428 fire stations in the country, and 457 more will be set up by the end of 2021, he added.
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