The recent fire at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the administrative hub of the country, on Christmas night has raised serious concerns.
Critical ministry documents were destroyed in the blaze, potentially affecting administrative functions for years. If a fire can ravage such a high-security building, the safety of other structures nationwide is in question.
Reports suggest that fire service operations were hindered by inadequate equipment, poor infrastructure, and limited vehicle access at the Secretariat. The lack of adequate entry gates delayed firefighting efforts. Alarmingly, the fire suppression system installed in the building failed to function effectively.
According to the Fire Service Director General, although 19 units were dispatched, only 10 could operate due to access issues. The fire, which spread from the sixth to the ninth floor, took hours to control.
While an investigation is expected to determine whether the fire was accidental or deliberate, critical questions arise: How did the fire start simultaneously at both ends of the building?
Why did it take nearly 12 hours to extinguish? Poorly planned gates further delayed response times, as noted by an official.
A specialized "Crowd Control Force" previously formed to manage fire incidents has been dismantled, exacerbating the problem.
Tragically, during the operation, a fire service worker was injured by a truck while carrying a water pipe, an accident that could have been prevented by stopping traffic on the adjacent road.
Additionally, cluttered government offices with unnecessary furniture have been likened to "fire farms," as highlighted by a former official. In an era striving for Digital and Smart Bangladesh, the accumulation of such hazards is unjustifiable.
Globally, advanced fire safety practices provide examples Bangladesh can follow. In Singapore, mandatory fire safety systems in government buildings are regularly updated and inspected.
Japan employs heat-resistant materials and automatic extinguishing systems in its construction, while the United States enforces strict fire safety laws and mandates regular drills.
The Secretariat fire underscores the urgent need for long-term safety reforms across the country. Mismanagement in such a key building reflects a broader risk nationwide.
Beyond investigating individual incidents, Bangladesh must implement robust fire safety measures and adopt global best practices to secure its future.
