The New Nation - Internet Edition

A DEVASTATING fire in the old part of the city on Friday gutted some 500 slum-houses and left at least ten persons injured. The fire rendered hundreds of slum dwellers homeless creating a humanitarian crisis. Most of the victims are reported to have lost all their belongings. The poor slum dwellers usually do not have houses elsewhere in the country. They are to suffer during the winter season and are in need of rehabilitation on a priority basis. The concerned agencies of the government should be prompt in action to minimise their sufferings.

The fire reportedly originated from a kitchen in the shanty. Fire in shanties is a recurrent phenomenon in the city. While carelessness of the inhabitants may be a cause of the fire, possibility of deliberate arson by rival forces for establishing control over the slum area should not be kept out of the purview of investigation.

It is reported that the fight against the fire was seriously hampered by lack of approaches to the place. This is a common picture in many areas of the city. The city administrators should ensure earmarking of spaces between houses and buildings to allow easy movement of fire fighting vehicles and ambulances. People must be convinced about the necessity of such spaces. Lack of water sources has emerged as an obstacle to the quick fire fighting. Loss of the natural canals and other water bodies has led to the situation. WASA's pump houses may facilitate the supply of water to fire fighters. Involvement of the people through raising awareness is necessary to prevent and fight fire. The incident of fire in a multi-storied building at Karwan Bazar last year showed the inadequacies of fire fighting arrangements. Fire service should be strengthened to meet the growing fire emergencies.