Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman has said investigations are underway to ascertain whether the fire in a slum near FDC Gate in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar that claimed two lives early Saturday was an act of sabotage or an accident.
Addressing the media at the scene, DMP Commissioner Rahman remarked, "At this stage, it is premature to conclude whether the fire was caused by negligence or an electrical short circuit. The ongoing investigations by the fire service and police will shed light on the actual cause."
Highlighting the challenges faced while trying to extinguish the fire, he pointed out the absence of a connecting road as a significant issue. He emphasised that the investigation would also focus on the adequacy of essential amenities like water, electricity, and access routes in the slum area, reports UNB.
Regarding the victims, Rahman noted that the severe burns sustained made it impossible to immediately identify the deceased. "We have collected DNA samples for testing to establish their identities," he said.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, saw a fire engulf the Mollabari slum in Karwan Bazar. Firefighters, who later recovered two charred bodies, were deployed rapidly to the scene with 13 units managing to extinguish the fire.
The DMP commissioner also reported that two individuals are still missing following the incident, and it is presumed that the recovered bodies might be those of the missing persons. The police are continuing their investigation to provide clarity on this tragic event.
Probe committee formed
A five-member committee has been formed to probe the fire incident.
Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (operations and maintenance) Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury will lead the committee, reports BSS.
Other committee members are - Dhaka Division Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Director (Member Secretary) Md Saleh Uddin; Assistant Director (Member) Md Anwarul Haque, Deputy Assistant Director of Zone-1(Member) Md Tanharul Islam, Senior Station Officer of Tejgaon Fire Station (Member) Md Nazim Uddin Sarkar.
Tk 5000 for each affected family
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced financial assistance of Tk 5,000 to each family affected by the fire.
DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said those with special needs will be allocated Tk 10,000 per person, reports UNB.
Talking to reporters, the Dhaka North mayor said, "This is a privately owned slum. Low-income people live here. When I arrived, I saw that almost all the homes were burnt in the fire. Adequate blankets will be provided for them. Dry food and blankets have already been arranged by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Dhaka North City Corporation will provide financial assistance to all the affected people."
Two people died and nearly 300 homes were destroyed in the fire.
