Devastating fire in Ha-Meem RMG factory: Many killed

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FE Report
A devastating fire in a multi-storey garment factory in Ashulia Apparel Industrial Zone on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday killed at least 25 people and injured hundred others trapped inside the building, police said.
The plant is owned by one of the country's largest exporters, Ha-Meem Group, which employs nearly 24,000 workers in the industrial hub. President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad owns the company.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the authorities concerned to investigate and find out reasons behind the devastating fire at the garment factory of Ha-Meem Group.
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the Prime Minister also instructed the civil and military authorities to rescue the victims and ensure their proper treatment.
Police officials and firemen are yet to confirm how many people are trapped inside the blazing building. They also feared the number of casualties may increase further.
The bodies identified are Farid, Maruf, Ekram Ali, Halima Begum, Maria Sultana, Ruhul Amin, Anjan, Tutul, Himel and Halima. Identity of the rest could not be known immediately.
Of the deceased, three died on the spot while eight at Shinshin Japan Hospital, six at Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, two at Enam Medical College Hospital, two at Nightingale Medical College Hospital, two at Jamgora Khalil Hospital and two at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia Police Station Sirajul Islam confirmed the death of 25 ill-fated workers, saying that the death toll might further increase as the rescuers are yet to step into the 10th and 11th floors of the factory, where most of the workers were believed trapped.
Hospital sources said most of the workers died after falling down from the top floors of the building.
Witnesses said the fire originated at about 2:00pm at the 10th floor when the workers were having lunch and soon the blaze engulfed other floors, causing one of the deadliest fire incidents, forcing many of the workers, caught in plumes of smoke and unable to breathe, jump down from the floor for safety.
"Some were injured in a stampede, some inhaled too much smoke, I saw at least six people jump from the roof," a police sub-inspector said, adding workers reported that emergency exits in the building were locked during the lunch break.
On information, firemen from several units rushed to the spot and took part in the rescue operation with the help of locals and law enforcers.
But they could not enter the fifth floor of the building due to excessive heat, forcing the authorities to summon army officials who later tried to rescue the trapped workers through their helicopter.
"The reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. It'll be confirmed later through a fair investigation," a senior fireman told the FE, adding that the gas oven at the canteen could be the cause of fire.
Some of the survivors alleged that they could not get down from the building due to suffocation and too much heat caused by the devastating fire.
Mamun, who was rescued by the firemen from the top floor of the building, told reporters that he saw many workers remain stranded at canteen of the 11-storied building and they were desperately trying to find safer places.
"Many of them are charred and critically wounded. Please rescue them," he said with tears.
The factory premises turned into an area of gloom immediately after the incident as thousands of relatives of the factory workers thronged the area after hearing the news. Some of them were seen praying for the safe return of the trapped workers.
Abul Kashem, supervisor of the factory, said more than 6,000 workers were at the fire-damaged floors.
The fire was under control excepting one portion of the factory, said fire service director general Abu Nayeem Mohammad Shahidullah at 7:45pm. But he could not confirm how long it might take to extinguish the fire.
Later, the government formed a four-member probe committee, led by additional home secretary, to investigate the incident and asked them to submit their findings within seven working days.
Meanwhile, the government has declared Tk 10,000 for each of the deceased families for their burial and financial assistance will be provided from the Prime Minister's personal funds for the treatment of badly wounded workers, if necessary, Health Minister informed during his visit to the injured workers at DMCH.
Authorities of a number of garment factories adjacent to the Ha-Meem Group suspended production for the day to speed up the rescue operation. Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Tangail Highway was halted for hours in a move to clear the approach roads for water tanks of the fire department.
Ha-Meem Group, one of the country's leading business conglomerates, employs around 25,000 workers in their several units housed at the building at Narasinghapur, an area where hundreds of apparel factories are located.
The factory was earlier torched by violent workers in 2009 over demand of the increased wages that costs owners nearly Tk 3 billion.
Fires due to short circuits and substandard electrical wiring are common in Bangladeshi garment factories, annually killing scores of poorly paid workers who toil 12 to 14 hours a day in trying working conditions.
In February this year, at least 22 workers were killed and dozens others received burn injuries following a devastating fire incident that broke out at Garib & Garib sweater factory near Gazipur Chowrasta.
Experts said such fire incidents are very common in the industry as most of the factories do not have enough fire safety measures leaving a large number of people vulnerable to the sudden devastation.
They also suggested the government to upgrade the fire department with state-of-the-art equipment to strengthen post incident operation and to ensure cent per cent fire safety measures in the country's highest export earning sector.