The tragic fire incident of February 29th, 2024, on Bailey Road stands as a stark reminder of our nations vulnerability to structural disasters, especially fire accidents and building collapses in commercial and industrial settings. Regrettably, the Bailey Road tragedy claimed 46 lives and left several injured. As we reflect on this tragedy, it becomes apparent that it could have been prevented. The systems reactive nature, coupled with a lack of proactive measures, has perpetuated a cycle of negligence that only punishes the fallen, rather than preventing such catastrophes from occurring in the first place.
In response to this tragedy, the High Court, while hearing a writ petition urging compliance with building codes, made a poignant observation, stating, "When something happens, only then are we alert." This reactive stance exposes a systemic failure to address critical issues before they escalate into tragedies.
The Bailey Road incident highlighted several crucial details that authorities should have addressed long before it occurred.
The structure, initially approved for commercial offices on the first to seventh floors, was illegally transformed into a house restaurant. This blatant violation, coupled with the absence of a second staircase-a mandatory requirement for buildings exceeding five floors-severely hindered escape routes during the fire. Shockingly, the solitary staircase designated as a fire exit was utilized for gas cylinder storage by certain restaurants, rendering it impassable during emergencies.
Bangladeshs National Building Code (NBC) mandates fire exits to prevent loss of life during fire situations, with Part 7 outlining minimum exit numbers, locations, and widths. Regular maintenance and inspection for functionality are also stipulated. The Bangladesh National Fire Prevention and Safety Act (2014) empowers the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense (BFSCD) to conduct inspections and take legal action against building owners or occupiers for their non-compliance.
Brigadier General Main Uddin, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense, highlighted that the building authorities had been notified three times through letters, but no action was taken in response to the warnings.
This lack of enforcement raises a crucial question: if the building had multiple documented safety violations and the authorities were notified, why were no legal actions taken against the owner or occupants even after issuing warnings? This lack of accountability points to systemic flaws in the enforcement and inspection mechanisms.
Following the tragedy, concerns have been expressed over the efficacy of fire safety inspections and enforcement protocols in the buildings construction and maintenance. The sequence of events in March 2023, including the Chattogram oxygen plant fire and the Gulistan explosion, underscored the need for proper application of laws and preparedness for such circumstances.
The frequency of fire-related incidents in Bangladesh, as illustrated by the alarming statistics from 2023 alone-27,624 reported incidents leading to 102 fatalities and 407 injuries-underscores the imperative for comprehensive reform of fire safety measures.Over the years, Bangladesh has witnessed a distressing number of fire-related incidents, often stemming from a variety of factors, including faulty electrical wiring, malfunctioning gas cylinders, pipeline leaks, infrastructural weaknesses, and inadequate safety measures. Furthermore, the lack of safety inspections and enforcement procedures contributes to the situation, allowing these hazards to persist unchecked.
Experts argue that the root cause of the fire incident lies in the lack of proper inspections, a failure to implement laws, and a lack of accountability among designated authorities in Bangladesh.
It is a rare practice in Bangladesh for any authority to take responsibility for a significant incident. Moreover, Major bureaucratic authorities often fail to hold each other constructively accountable. This lack of accountability is one of the primary reasons behind our inability to effectively tackle the problem.
Following major incidents, authorities often attempt to shift blame onto factors they claim they were not aware of, such as the lack of safety equipment, unauthorized commercial spaces or residential areas, unprecedented chemical storage, and gas cylinders in fire exits.
So, one of the primary challenges lies in the absence of rigorous inspections and enforcement mechanisms. They struggle to provide satisfactory explanations for lapses in safety inspections. In many cases, an inspection is conducted solely on paper, with no physical visit by the inspection officer, allowing non-compliant establishments to operate with impunity. Moreover, authorities prioritize reactive measures over proactive ones, perpetuating a culture of complacency and non-compliance among private entities. This approach encourages individuals or organizations to ignore safety rules since they know they won be caught until something goes wrong.
After a major incident, blame games often ensue, with authorities pointing fingers at building owners and overlooking their own shortcomings. Typically, the responsibility for an incident falls solely on building or factory owners. However, accountability should also be placed on government authorities for failing to fulfill their legal obligations. On the contrary, in developed countries, government agencies are held accountable for their inability to prevent such incidents.
Implementing a robust accountability framework is crucial for lasting improvements in fire safety across the nation. A proactive approach needed involving clear benchmarks - independent oversight mechanisms, and progressive sanctions for non-compliance ,which can foster a collaborative environment, ensuring the safety of citizens and rebuilding public trust.
By establishing a system where authorities are held responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens, Bangladesh can pave the way for lasting improvements in fire safety.Moreover, accountability must extend beyond punitive measures to proactive measures aimed at preventing incidents before they occur. This entails investing in comprehensive inspection protocols, leveraging technology for real-time monitoring, and promoting a culture of safety and compliance among stakeholders.
Furthermore, public awareness and engagement are crucial in holding authorities accountable. Citizens must demand transparency and accountability from government agencies, ensuring that safety regulations are enforced effectively.Without significant repercussions of the public, authorities may be reluctant to implement stricter regulations and engage in adequate inspection practices.
In conclusion, the tragic events of Bailey Road underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform in Bangladeshs fire safety landscape. By reinforcing accountability and inspection protocols, the nation can mitigate the risk of future incidents and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. Its time to break free from the cycle of reactive measures and usher in a new era of proactive fire safety governance.
The writer is a student of Department of Law at North-South University
