Authorities cannot avoid responsibility for Mirpur blaze: Ex-fire service DG

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the Fire Service, and the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) cannot avoid responsibility for the deadly fire in Mirpur today, Brigadier General (retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, former director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said today (14 October).

"The agencies are now trying to shift blame by saying the warehouse had no approval," he said in a statement. "But such illegal chemical warehouses could not have been established if the responsible authorities had properly carried out their duties. 

"Even the instruction to label chemical containers in Bangla is not being followed. Mismanagement and workers' lack of knowledge about chemicals are causing these frequent tragedies."

16 killed as fire from illegal chemical warehouse engulfs Mirpur garment factory

He also mentioned that a previous initiative to train 200 volunteers in every city ward under the Fire Service had stalled. 

"If the Fire Service and the city corporation had trained these volunteers, they could have helped reduce casualties and losses, and identified risky warehouses and buildings in advance," he added.

The former fire service chief appreciated the government's initiative to form committees involving the industries and disaster management ministries to strengthen fire safety. However, he stressed that "real progress must happen on the ground."

He urged the authorities to relocate chemical warehouses from densely populated Dhaka to designated areas. 

"Although a chemical hub has been established in Shyampur, traders are still not moving there. The reasons must be identified, and the government should make it easier and mandatory for businesses to relocate," he said.

"Just as the human body cannot survive without blood, the economy cannot function without chemicals," he concluded, emphasising the need for proper management and safe storage of chemicals.