Fire at Krishi Market in city guts 500 shops

At least 500 shops were gutted in a devastating fire in the capital's Mohammadpur Krishi Market on Thursday.
The fire incident happened at around 3:43 am on Thursday. Upon hearing the news, 17 fire-fighting units along with the members of army, navy and air force carried out a joint operation and doused the flames at around 9:25 am on the day.
Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lieutenant Colonel Md Tajul Islam led the operation.
FSCD control room duty officer Rozina Akter informed the FE at around 7:00 pm on Thursday that four fire-fighting units were still on the spot to complete their remaining tasks.
The cause of the fire and the extent of its financial losses could be ascertained after completing the ongoing investigation, she added.
The affected traders of the market said there were a total of 700 to 800 shops, authorised and unauthorised (in the main market and the kitchen market).
They called upon the government and the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to help them to cope with their present ordeal, as they lost their means of livelihood in the devastating fire.
"I have lost everything due to the fire, and I want the government to help us," a trader named Rafiq told the FE.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Md Selim Reza told the media that they had allocated 317 shops to the traders, of which 217 shops were affected in the fire, according to the news they gathered so far.
Besides, there were a number of unauthorised shops on the pavement in front of the market.
The DNCC has started the process of preparing a list of the fire-affected traders. It would extend helping hand to the traders as much as possible.
He also hoped that other government agencies concerned would also come forward.
The DNCC CEO said as per the FSCD observations, there were no fire safety measures inside the market despite the DNCC's directives.
"We directed the shops owners' association of the market in this regard. We repeatedly requested the owners to implement our directives. As they have not followed our directives, we have witnessed the devastating fire".
"Investigation will identify who are actually responsible for the inferno," Mr Reza said while responding to a query on whether the shop owners' association and the market management committee were responsible or not.
There are nine risky markets in the capital. Of these, two markets in Mohammadpur area do not have fire safety arrangements.
Asked why the Krishi Market was not included in the list of risky markets, he responded, "The committee that worked during that time (while preparing the list) could not include the Krishi market in the list of risky markets."
The DNCC CEO further said they directed the officials concerned to take steps against the risky-identified buildings and markets within the next 15-30 days.
"We would not stop from taking actions even if we face any resistance from any quarter. We would vacate the businessmen and others living in these buildings. These should be vacated without any delay, and we would put the buildings under lock and key after vacating those."
The DNCC has appointed magistrates to implement the initiative, he added.
"We would soon prepare a list of the affected traders, and then - with the government's help - would try to assist them. These are our first priorities now," Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Anisur Rahman told the media.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com