Fire officials raised serious concerns on Wednesday about widespread violations of building codes in Old Dhaka after a fire broke out at a plastic factory in Islambagh's Chairmanghat area, which falls under Lalbagh police jurisdiction.
Salehuddin Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Dhaka Division of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), stated that unplanned residential-commercial buildings in the area pose serious risks to both residents and emergency responders.
"No building codes are followed when constructing structures in the Chairmanghat area. People's lives are in grave danger," he told reporters during a briefing at the fire site.
He also mentioned how the area's extremely narrow roads hampered firefighting efforts, making it difficult for fire engines and personnel to reach the affected buildings.
The fire, which began around 1:30pm, was brought under control around 4:00pm, after nearly two and a half hours of intense efforts.
To put out the fire, 11 firefighting engines from six fire stations were called in.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within 20 minutes of receiving the alert and immediately started rescue and firefighting operations, according to Salehuddin.
No casualties have been reported thus far, he said.
However, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.
To avoid such incidents and ensure public safety in the capital's densely populated areas, fire officials emphasised the importance of strict building code enforcement and improved urban planning.
