Short circuits still cause one in three fires despite warnings

Short circuits continue to be the leading cause of fire incidents in Bangladesh, accounting for more than one-third of all cases, official data shows, pointing to long-standing failures in electrical safety and infrastructure oversight.

According to the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), the country recorded 26,659 fire incidents in 2024, of which short circuits were still responsible for 9,069 incidents, or 34 percent.

In 2023, fire incidents rose to 27,624, while electrical faults accounted for 9,813 cases, or 36 percent. The year before, 24,102 fire incidents were logged across the country, of which 9,275, or 38 percent, were caused by short circuits.

The human toll has been increasing every year. According to Fire Service records, short circuit-related fires killed 85 people in 2022, followed by 102 deaths in 2023, and 140 in 2024.

"These are not just statistics. They represent families shattered and futures lost due to preventable causes," said Md Shahjahan Sikder, officer-in-charge of the FSCD media cell.

The financial damage caused by these fires has fluctuated sharply. Losses linked to short circuit-related incidents stood at Tk 134 crore in 2022 before massively surging to Tk 436 crore in 2023. Although losses declined to Tk 280 crore in 2024, DFSCD officials described the trend as unstable and worrying.

Sikder said investigations consistently point to poor-quality wiring, overloaded circuits and substandard installation practices as the main causes of such fires.

Many buildings, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, continue to operate with outdated electrical systems installed without professional supervision, he added.

He further stated that electrical inspections remain rare, while compliance with fire safety codes is weak, especially in older structures and informal settlements.

Industry experts also point to substandard electrical materials as a major factor.

"Many cables lack three-layer insulation, which is designed to prevent overheating," said Akhteruzzaman, general manager (operations) at AkijBashir Cables. "Others are not heat-resistant up to 105 degrees Celsius, making them vulnerable to failure under high load."

The use of impure or mixed copper significantly reduces conductivity and increases the risk of short circuits, added Akhteruzzaman, also an electrical engineer.

Recent incidents illustrate these risks. The devastating fire at the import cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on October 18 last year was caused by electrical arcing and a short circuit, according to the probe report.

Md Aynal Haque, professor of electrical and electronic engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), identified the absence of proper electrical design, the use of substandard materials and unsafe usage by end-users as the core drivers of the problem.

"Many buildings are approved without any electrical design because Rajuk (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) does not require it," he said. "This leads to unsafe systems that are prone to faults."

He also warned about counterfeit electrical products, including fake branded cables, and hazardous practices such as overloading circuits with multi-plugs, which cause internal overheating.

Citing the airport fire, he reiterated the need for legal reforms, including mandatory design approvals and nationwide awareness campaigns. "Without regulation and awareness, we'll continue losing lives and crores of taka to preventable fires."

A senior official of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) echoed the concerns, calling for a comprehensive nationwide strategy to reduce fire incidents.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a comprehensive approach was needed, including mandatory annual electrical safety audits for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and better access to certified electricians and quality materials, particularly in low-income areas.

Rafiqul Islam Rony, head of marketing and sales at BRB Cable, a leading wires and cables manufacturer, also blamed improper installation and the use of substandard materials for short circuit-related fire incidents.

"Many short circuits occur because cables are not selected based on the required load. For example, using a 300 RM cable instead of a 500 RM one creates a serious safety risk," he said.

Rony pointed out that incorrect cable laying, such as not using proper pipes, also contributes to the problem. "In many cases, low-quality cables are purchased from manufacturers who don't follow standards."

Faulty connections at machine points are another factor. "If the insulation isn't properly removed or carbon is not cleaned before making connections, it can result in short circuits," he said.

Even standard cables can fail if they are undersized or poorly installed, he warned. "When cables heat up under load, the risk of short circuits rises significantly."