Market sprawl causes heavy loss during fires

The firefighters try to enter the market amid thick smoke during an incident of fire at Tamakumandi Lane on Friday, left; two fire firefighters equipped with fire-extinguishers inside the narrow passage of the market, upper right, and the anxious businessmen wait outside the market, bottom right. PHOTO: STAR

Following this, incidents of fire take a heavy toll on the businessmen and sometimes make many of them penniless.

Unplanned and closely knit buildings posed a threat to over 4,000 shops only in three markets of Reazuddin Bazar, Zahur Hawkers Market and Teri Bazar.

The October 7 devastating fire, which damaged goods and properties worth taka several crore at Rizwan Complex at Reazuddin Bazaar at Tamakumandi Lane, a centre for electronics and other valuable items, reminded the businessmen of their helplessness.

The fire, which originated from electric short-circuits at around 1:00pm, damaged 36 shops, 22 reduced to ashes.

According to the fire service sources, the fire damaged properties worth over Tk 1 crore while the traders put the amount of loss at around Tk 4 crore.

The extent of damage is higher as the unplanned construction of the market buildings did not have any passage for entry of fire fighting vehicles, witnesses said.

"Besides, it was difficult for the fire fighters to make way as thick smoke blanketed the view," said Abu Taleb Chowdhury, a shop owner of Rahman Plaza of Tamakumandi Lane.

"The passage for fire fighting vehicles apart, the buildings and shops are so closely packed that they even hinder movement of the customers," he said.

"The congested shops of Tamakumandi Lane and Reazuddin Bazar also lack proper ventilation system giving the visitors a choking feeling," said Zahirul Islam Babu, a customer from Dewan Bazar Machhua Zharna area.

The Tamakumandi Banik Samity General Secretary Iqbal Sharif Chowdhury said the fire fighting activities were hampered due to the absence of passages to market, which also forced the fire fighters to keep their vehicles half to one kilometre off the spot.

"We must appreciate the sincerity and skill of the fire fighters. Without their sincere efforts the extent of loss in the fire on that day could have reached several hundred crore," he said.

When asked about the measures in such fire incident in future, he said, "There should be strong coordination among the owners of the market buildings to keep sufficient space for vehicular and public movement for the sake of safety and security of all."

In this regard, he urged the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) and administration concerned to take steps during construction of buildings deviating approved design and related provisions.

The workers and staffs, who stay on the upstairs of the market buildings, cook food with gas or electricity posing a risk of fire at any moment, said the businessmen of the market.

Besides, the power supply lines of the markets had been lying in mess with the electric polls raised in the 70s with some 150 connections each, said Abu Taher Chowdhury, vice-president of the samity.

The samity leaders demanded of the Power Development Board authorities for orderly arrangement of the power supply lines.

The scenario of the other parts of Reazuddin Bazar is also the same.

When Tamakumandi Lane has some 80 buildings each turning into a market, over 150 buildings grew up at Reazuddin Bazar to house around 2000 shops.

The condition at Zahur Hawkers Market is worse than that of Reazuddin Bazar. The market houses over 1500 shops in four rows of two-storey semi-pacca structures.

The condition of Teri Bazar, the largest wholesale market of fabrics, is also not good.

Around 800 shops are housed in a serious congested way in some 41 buildings without any passage for fire fighters, sources said.

Fire Service Assistant Director Rashedul Islam Majumder said narrow lanes and absence of water reservoirs in and around the market places are obstacles to fire fighting.

"We have repeatedly urged the owners to develop their markets in an orderly way and construct some water reservoirs. But, our calls fall on deaf ears," Majumder said.