Mismanagements emerge in Banani FR Tower fire extinguishing system

Most of the reasons cited after devastations in fire incidents have re-emerged following the deaths of at least 19 people in a fire at a high-rise office bloc in Dhaka’s Banani.

Four floors of the 22-storey building on Kamal Ataturk Avenue, a commercial district of the upscale neighbourhood, suffered extensive damaged in the fire that started sometime after 12:00 pm on Thursday.

Despite having many offices of commercial entities, the building did not have adequate fire management system, according to State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman.

“The collapsible gate of the building’s emergency exit was shut. It delayed the rescue efforts. The staircase was also narrow,” he added.

After devastating fire incidents in the capital, including the recent at Chawkbazar and the one at Nimtoli in 2010, investigation committees recommended keeping enough space to let victims get out to safety and sufficient fire management system to prevent casualties.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Md Sazzad Hussain said he saw some fire extinguishers in the building but those were out of service.

Vinyl and plastic boards used for decorating the offices helped the fire spread fast, according to the fire service DG.

He would not comment on the origin of the fire pointing out that an investigation was on-going.

Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam claimed the building codes were not followed in the construction of the tower.

After visiting it, he told the media, “According to my initial judgement, all the building codes were not followed in constructing the tower. It did not even have a proper emergency exit.”

A former president of the garment entrepreneurs lobby BGMEA, Atiqul said he had learnt many things about fire management system while working to improve workplace safety in his factories.

“It (FR Tower) should have had a fully fledged fire management system, fire hydrant to cover even the topmost floor had the building codes been complied with,” he said.  

Fire crews also complained of a lack of water while battling the blaze.

Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif MP, a joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League, faced questions at the scene of the incident about measures to prevent devastations by fire from journalists who cited a fire incident at the same building over a decade ago, bdnews24.com reports.

“I can’t say anything about what had happened at the time. Actions will be taken if anyone’s negligence is found,” he said.

“Those who are constructing multi-storey buildings without following the codes must face action,” he added.

Real estate company Rupayan erected the Faruk Rupayan Tower on a land owned by one “Faruk”.

No official of the realtor could be reached for comment immediately.