Bangabazar fire finally doused after 75 hours

Staff Reporter  :
After 75 hours, the devastating fire that engulfed all the apparel markets in Bangabazar has finally been extinguished.
Now, the removal of debris has begun to make the area suitable for open sale, giving the affected cloth traders hope to revive their businesses.
Senior Staff Officer (Media Wing) of Department of Fire
Service and Civil Defence Md. Shahjahan Sikder told the media that the Bangabazar fire was extinguished at 9:30am on Friday.
The fire originated around 6:10am on April 4 at Bangabazar Shopping Complex, burning several thousand shops to ashes despite frantic efforts of the fire fighters and others.
With the announcement of the extinguishing the fire after 75 hours, the fire fighters left the scene and then the businessmen entered the affected area.
Bangabazar Complex Shop Owners Association sources said that with permission from Dhaka South City Corporation, the work for removing the debris has been handed over to a company which has bought the debris for Tk 40 lakhs.
After the removal of the debris, the affected traders will be given makeshift space for their businesses.
Acting Chairman of the Association Md Nazmul Huda said that a lot of goods are stolen from the premises after the fire is brought under control.
“Theft cannot be prevented at that time. However, many burnt structures are still present. We sold them to a company through a tender process. They are now demolishing them,” he said.
He also said, “It is not possible to provide space for all business owners in the open area. Even then, we will try to provide space for two people to sit in one shop.”
“If the traders can sit here before the Eid-ul-Fitr, it will help them to minimise some losses,” he noted.
About the listing of the affected traders, he said, “The process of listing the affected businessmen and the owners is underway. We have a meeting with our business owners on Sunday. There, we will present the final list.”
Even on Friday, the affected businesses were ferreting out the ashes for necessary documents and credit books that were kept in their shops.
Traders were seen shedding tears for the irreparable loss caused by the devastating fire.
The affected traders demanded for interest free loans and early rehabilitation to restart their lives.
The blaze has left many small business owners in a dire situation, with significant financial losses and uncertainty about their future, they bemoaned.