Inferno: A mega city threat
Dhaka has experienced a high rate of urbanization over the past few decades. Currently, the city is home to more than 14.4 million people. In response to intense population pressure, its development trend has increasingly shifted vertically. High-rise buildings are now being constructed throughout the city; however, many of these dwellings are built without adhering to planning rules and regulations.
The vulnerability of Dhaka’s residents to fire hazards has escalated due to unchecked construction practices and non-compliance with the Fire Protection Act of 2003. The city frequently experiences fire accidents, a situation exacerbated by a lack of precautionary measures, institutional inefficiencies, insufficient equipment, and low public awareness. Furthermore, existing planning regulations are inadequate for the city’s present context. As most residents are untrained in using firefighting equipment, precautionary measures often prove ineffective.
Consequently, comprehensive institutional reform and capacity building at both the individual and organizational levels are essential to mitigate fire hazard risks in Dhaka.
Vulnerable Communities: Slum Dwellers and Garment Workers
The city’s rapid, often unplanned growth has resulted in a landscape where high-rise buildings stand alongside dense slums and industrial areas. Slum dwellers face particularly severe risks. Lacking savings or alternative housing, many become homeless and are forced into begging after a fire. Personal tragedies are common, such as the loss of life savings kept in homes or the destruction of academic certificates, which cripples future opportunities. This places slum communities in a perpetually vulnerable and precarious position.
Another significant area of concern is the ready-made garment (RMG) industry. Many factories fail to comply with fire safety laws. A tragic example is the 2012 fire at Tazreen Fashions, which resulted in at least 117 confirmed fatalities and over 200 injuries. According to the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Authority (BFSCDA), a recent post-fire inspection found that 60 percent of Dhaka’s garment factories have substandard firefighting equipment. Common deficiencies include a lack of backup power for emergency lighting, absence of emergency fire exits, and inadequate ventilation systems.
During a fire, these deficiencies can plunge a factory into darkness and fill it with toxic smoke, intensifying chaos and panic. Disoriented workers often cannot escape. As noted by rescue volunteer Boshir Ahmed Khan following the Rana Plaza collapse, many workers perish in unsafe areas like toilets due to the absence of proper ventilation and clear escape routes, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of these workers.
