Tongi deaths call for stronger safeguards for firefighters
We are shocked by the deaths of two firefighters in an explosion in Tongi's Sahara Market on September 22. Reportedly, upon receiving information about a fire at a chemical warehouse in the market, a team of firefighters from Tongi Fire Station rushed there to handle the situation. However, tragedy struck when the team approached to douse the fire after being assured by one of the owners that there were no flammable or explosive materials inside. The following explosion indicated that there were, in fact, highly explosive substances inside the warehouse, although it is still not known exactly which materials were stored there. The two firefighters who died sustained 100 percent burn injuries, while another person is presently fighting for his life with 42 percent burns.
The incident has raised some fundamental questions. The warehouse owner misled the firefighters about the nature of the materials stored there; was it because hazardous chemicals were illegally kept in the warehouse? Did he not realise that such false information could endanger public safety? Also, it needs to be seen whether there are other chemical warehouses in the market operating secretly and posing a danger to the public. Shahin Alam, station officer of Tongi Fire Station, stated that had they been informed about the presence of explosive substances, their response strategy would have been different. That two lives were lost due to false information is unacceptable.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Such incidents seriously undermine confidence about the protection and preparedness of our firefighting teams. Reports indicate that firefighters often operate without essential personal protective equipment, such as fire suits or breathing apparatus. Furthermore, compensation for injuries or deaths remains grossly inadequate, while there is no insurance coverage for deaths or injuries either. This is totally unacceptable.
Our firefighters routinely risk their lives while on duty, yet their safety and well-being are often overlooked. The memories of the tragic explosion at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda, Chattogram on June 4, 2022, which claimed the lives of 13 firefighters, are still fresh in our memory. Such incidents seriously undermine confidence about the protection and preparedness of our firefighting teams. Reports indicate that firefighters often operate without essential personal protective equipment, such as fire suits or breathing apparatus. Furthermore, compensation for injuries or deaths remains grossly inadequate, while there is no insurance coverage for deaths or injuries either. This is totally unacceptable.
We, therefore, urge the government to ensure that the salaries and other benefits of firefighters match the risk and gruelling work that they have to do. The government must also take strict measures to prevent the illegal operation of hazardous chemical warehouses for public safety. Regarding the Tongi incident, the government must conduct a thorough investigation to find the real reason behind the explosion and hold the individual who misled the firefighters accountable. Additionally, it must ensure adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and provide proper medical care to those injured. Above all, the government must take decisive steps to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
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