It’s deeply concerning that Bangladesh continues to show a lack of urgency when it comes to implementing basic fire safety measures. The country remains far behind global standards, where essential fire safety precautions are standard practice in many other nations.

Most fires are preventable or can be quickly contained with the right fire-prevention measures in place. However, in Bangladesh, it often feels like life is given less priority than the additional costs of implementing these safety measures — at least, that’s how it seems from the outside.

I’ve been in countless office and high-rise apartment buildings in Dhaka where there isn’t a single fire extinguisher, water hose, or even a smoke detector — basic, inexpensive safety items that should be standard — on any floor. Not even a bucket of sand.

Many Bangladeshis seem either disillusioned, complacent or ignorantly believ that fire disasters only happen to others, somewhere else. The idea of purchasing a fire extinguisher for the safety of their home and loved ones doesn’t even seem to cross their minds. This mindset needs to........

© Blitz