From what is known so far about the fire at Green Cozy Cottage on Bailey Road in the capital, it cannot be viewed as an accident out of the blue. The building was already at risk of fire, with the fire service having reported the issue to the building owner on several occasions. Unfortunately, these warnings were ignored, and the consequences were witnessed by the entire nation.
There are many more such 'Green Cozy Cottages' across the capital. The fire service reports that the fire safety systems of 90 per cent of the capital's buildings are fragile. This issue extends beyond just Old Dhaka or old buildings; many new constructions also lack necessary fire fighting systems. Some individuals refer to these buildings without fire safety measures as 'time bombs'. The question arises: what measures are being taken against these fire-prone buildings? Who will take responsibility if a fire breaks out in one of these buildings due to negligence in implementing safety measures? The blame game the authorities resort to only exacerbates the situation, and even after a fire, those responsible are not held accountable.
Many are labelling the Bailey Road fire as a case of negligent homicide, a phenomenon that has occurred in the capital before.
It is believed that such incidents continue to happen because the perpetrators are not prosecuted. It is imperative that the authorities rigorously monitor and ensure fire safety in the capital's hazardous buildings. Action must be taken against buildings that fail to comply with fire safety regulations. In this regard, let the blame game come to an end.
Ashikujaman Syed
Marketing Research Associate
Hebei Huanji Metal Wire Mesh Co. Ltd,
Shijiazhuang, China
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com