Fire safety

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Although fire breaks out quite frequently, the capital city does not have adequate fire fighting capacity. The incidence of fire ought to act as wake-up call for our complacent authorities. The city needs to check unplanned growth and put in place an effective fire-fighting mechanism.

Rampura, Old Dhaka, Azimpur, Kamalapur and Nakhal Para, besides the slums, narrow roads and lanes, face extra danger. The market places in various parts of the city are also vulnerable. The absence of sufficient fire-fighting facilities and narrow lanes heighten the risks for the markets. Many of the shopping complexes, especially the old ones, lack fire-fighting mechanism. At the overcrowded shopping complexes, incidence of fire causes stampedes and loss of lives. It is also doubtful how many of the high-rises everywhere in the city are equipped with fire-prevention facilities.

The government would do well to initiate remedial measures.

Mohammad Shahidul Islam

National tourism worker

e-mail: mohd.s.islam@gmail.com