Rescue operation called off at Chawkbazar

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon has called of the rescue operation of Chawkbazar fire in the capital.

In a press conference at Chawkbazar at around 1 pm on Thursday he declared conclusion of the rescue operation.

He said, DSCC has started hotline number 9556014 to know the information regarding the casualties in the terrible accident.

Sayeed Khokon said, three teams of fire service were kept on the spot due to security reasons after the rescue operation. They will monitor the situation round the clock. Measures will be taken so that the fire cannot spread further.

He said, people who lost their lives will be buried at the Jurain graveyard under DSCC. Compensation will be handed over to the family members of the affected.

The Mayor said, a three member probe committee was formed on behalf of fire service to investigate the fire at Chawkbazar. Action will be taken against the culprits after submission of the report by the probe body headed by fire service Deputy Director.

Highlighting the matter of fire which spread from the chemical warehouse, the Mayor said, we have begun the drive to evict the chemical warehouse from the residential area of old Dhaka from Monday. Our drive will continue. No chemical warehouse will be allowed to remain in the area.

In 2010 more than one hundred people were killed when fire broke out from a chemical warehouse at Nimtali in old Dhaka. At that time it was said that no chemical factory of warehouse will be allowed to remain in old Dhaka and drive will continue to evict the warehouse and factories. When asked about how many days the drive will continue the mayor said, we have begun the drive and it will continue.

When asked about whether he thinks himself as a failed person to prevent the accident, the mayor said, I was present here after hearing the news of fire. We have conducted all out activities. People will see the success and failure, they will evaluate.

The mayor said, so far 70 dead bodies were recovered from the accident spot. More 41 were injured. They were admitted to hospital. 30 were provided primary treatment. Although the forensic chief of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Dr. Sohel Mahmud said that 81 dead bodies were remaining in the hospital morgue.

After 10:30 pm on Wednesday the fire broke out at Wahid Mansion at Nanda Kumar Dutt road in old Dhaka. Then it spread into adjacent several buildings one by one. Locals said the fire originated from a vehicle situated in front of the building.

37 units of fire service doused the fire after 14 hours of efforts. In the meantime 70 lives were lost. More 9 critically injured people are being treated in the Dhaka Medical College Burn Unit.

Meanwhile, President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury expressed their mourning following the incident of fire. Besides mourning and condolences were also expressed by different ministers and ministries. The government has assured of all types of cooperation and declaration was given from the labor ministry to compensate one lakh taka each to the family members of affected workers.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Inspector General Police Dr. Javed Patwari and other high officials also visited the spot.

AH