A devastating fire engulfed a popular biryani restaurant located at the base of a seven-floor commercial building in Dhaka’s upscale Bailey Road neighborhood on Thursday night, claiming the lives of at least 45 individuals. Bangladesh firefighters attributed the tragedy to glaring safety deficiencies, with fears of additional casualties among those hospitalized in critical condition.
According to fire service operations director Rezaul Karim, the blaze was exacerbated by the presence of numerous cooking gas cylinders stored haphazardly in stairwells and restaurant kitchens, leading to explosions during the inferno. National fire services chief Main Uddin lamented the absence of basic safety measures such as fire exits or multiple staircases, underscoring that most fatalities occurred due to suffocation.
Reports indicate that the fire likely originated from a gas cylinder mishap, claimed police inspector Bacchu Mia, who confirmed an additional fatality on Friday morning, bringing the death toll to 45. With 15-16 individuals in critical condition, the toll may rise further.
Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture of the chaos that ensued as the fire spread rapidly through the building. Restaurant manager Sohel recounted how smoke filled the staircase, prompting panicked evacuations. Desperate survivors resorted to unconventional means to escape, including using water pipes to descend the building exterior, resulting in injuries.
The tragedy underscores Bangladesh’s poor safety record, marked by frequent incidents of explosions and fires due to lax adherence to safety standards and pervasive corruption. Deadly blazes are often attributed to gas cylinder mishaps, faulty electrical wiring, and inadequate infrastructure.
In response to the disaster, government authorities have launched an investigation into the fire’s origins. Meanwhile, hundreds of distraught family members converged at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where ambulances transported the deceased and injured.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols and enforcement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the nation mourns the loss of lives in this catastrophic event, calls for accountability and reform within Bangladesh’s safety framework have grown louder.
Sources By Agencies
