The Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense has reported that as many as 26,659 fires erupted nationwide in 2024, claiming the lives of 140 people, while leaving 341 others injured, reports bdnews24.com.
At least two firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty while battling the blazes, and 37 others sustained injuries.
The Fire Service shared the statistics through a press release on Tuesday.
According to the organisation's report, the highest number of casualties took place in restaurant fires, claiming the lives of 47 people, and injuring 78 others. Residential building fires resulted in 36 fatalities and 72 injuries, while gas explosions killed eight people and injured 53 others.
Detailed cause-based statistics revealed that electrical faults were the leading cause of fires, responsible for 9,069 incidents, or 33.98 per cent of the 26,659 total fires.
Other major causes included discarded cigarettes (4,139 fires, or 15.52 per cent), stoves (3,056 fires, or 11.46 per cent), and fires sparked by unruly crowds (789 incidents, or 2.95 per cent).
Additionally, 759 fires (2.84 per cent) were caused by children playing with fire, 735 by hot ashes, 704 by gas-cylinder leaks, and 465 by gas-line leaks.
The report also noted 44 fires (0.45 per cent) due to gas cylinder explosions, 455 from mosquito coils, and 64 from burning fireworks, lanterns, and crackers.
The Fire Service's property damage statistics for 2024 indicate that residential buildings or houses were the most affected by fires. A total of 7,131 fires occurred in homes across the country, accounting for 26.74 per cent of all reported fires.
Other significant fire incidents were recorded in haystacks, with 4,513 fires (16.92 per cent), and kitchens, where 2,411 fires (9.04 per cent) took place. The report also noted fires in commercial areas, including 1,887 in shops, 911 in markets, and 481 in shopping malls. Industrial fires included 494 in factories outside the garment sector, and 236 in garment factories.
Additionally, 211 fires were reported in power substations, 153 in multi-storey buildings (above six floors), and 150 in restaurants and hotels. Other notable incidents included 129 fires in the KPIs and government institutions, 126 in hospitals and clinics, 123 in jute warehouses and mills, 85 in religious institutions, 84 in slums, and 78 in educational institutions.
There was also a concerning rise in vehicle fires in 2024, as a total of 268 vehicles, excluding buses, caught fire in 2024, along with 114 buses, 13 trains, and three launches across the country.
The total property damage was calculated at Tk 4.5 billion. However, the Fire Service's efforts to extinguish these fires were credited with saving property worth Tk 19.74 billion.
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