233 die in fire every year

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 DHAKA, March 31, 2018 (BSS) – In Bangladesh, fire incidents kill 233 people and injure about 5,000 every year, a top official of Fire Service and Civil Defence said here today.

Fire causes losses of properties and goods worth Taka 4,834 crore, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Md Ali Ahmed Khan told at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).

Electronic Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) organized the press conference. ESSAB President Md Motahar Hossain read out a written speech while leaders of the association including Secretary General Nazmul Huda, among others, were present on the occasion.

Khan said, “Nearly 88,000 fire incidents occurred in the past six years causing deaths of 1,400 people. The estimated losses caused by fire stood at Taka 29,000 crore.”

He blamed lack of awareness among the people for these fire incidents.

Motahar said the ESSAB is going to hold the fifth edition of the International Fire Safety and Security Expo-2018 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre(BICC) in the capital to create mass awareness by educating the people.

The three-day expo will begin on April 5 and Home Minister Md Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is expected to inaugurate it as the chief guest, he added.

Alongside local organizations, reputed fire safety and security organizations from 30 countries would participate in the expo. A total of 60 stalls will be set up.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence DG said after devastating fire incidents, most export-oriented industries have taken adequate safety measures to ensure fire security.

But many organizations and owners of houses lack safety measures to check fire, he added.