Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday warned that action would be taken against the people, who will be found guilt for the fire incident at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda.
“If anyone’s negligence is found in the investigation into the fire incident at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda, action will also be taken against them irrespective of party affiliation,” he said while talking to journalists after the namaz-e-janaza of firefighter Shakil Tarafdar, who was killed in Sitakunda fire, at Fulbaria Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.
The minister said, “Our high-powered investigation team is working in Chattogram….something might have happened there, investigation will reveal the reason behind the fire.”
He said that the firefighters have always proved that they are fearless, adding, “You have seen that a firefighter gave his life in an operation against militants in Sylhet. You have also seen it in FR Tower of Banani. They know that there are risks, but they rush to the spot of occurrence to save lives. In Chattogram, nine firefighters had sacrificed their lives while saving fire victims. We could not identify three others … their bodies were not found.”
Kamal said, “So far we have found 41 bodies. We still don’t know how much damage has happened there. Several injured persons are now undergoing treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH). We sought blessings for their early recovery.”
Replying to a question, the minister said, “We have transformed the firefighting service into a modern one from the bell ringing service. Today, firefighters arrive immediately after the fire incident.”
“We have been able to turn it into a competent fire service at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We will continue to increase their capacity,” Kamal added.
In response to a question regarding the involvement of any influential person in the incident, the minister said, “The message is clear that if anyone’s involvement and negligence is found, they must face the music.”
