Prime Minister Sheik Hasina said, it is regretful that chemical warehouses could not be relocated from old Dhaka.
The Prime Minister said this to the newsmen after visiting the patients admitted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital Burn Unit who were injured in the devastating fire at Churihatta intersection at Chawkbazar in old Dhaka. She reached at the hospital at 10:25 am on Saturday.
Sheikh Hasina said, we had removed the factories through mobile court but those have begun their business again. These have to be shifted very soon. We have to be conscious. Curious mob are the main problem to douse this kind of fire. Everybody has to lay their hands to cooperate in this situation.
She said, steps will be taken so that there will be no chemical in this populated area.
The premier said, this is a major accident that shocked us all. Mourning day will be declared for the casualties.
Expressing sympathy to the dead and injured she said, we will declare a mourning day. The declaration will be given after discussing the matter with cabinet members on Sunday.
She said, all measures have been taken for treatment of the burn injured patients. Modern treatment facilities are ensured.
The Prime Minister also said that after modernizing the fire service the fire was doused faster. Helicopters were also used in the fire fighting operation.
For interrupting the fire dousing activities she also held journalists responsible. She said, fire fighting operation was interrupted for answering the questions of journalists. She also suggested the journalists to be conscious.
A terrible fire broke out after 10 pm on Wednesday at Churihatta intersection of Nandakumar Dutt Road at Chawkbazar area in old Dhaka. Then the fire spread into nearby five buildings. 37 units of Fire Service brought the fire under control after 14 hours of efforts. Two army helicopters also joined the operation.
67 people were killed in the fire. But the number of death may rise. After identification 45 bodies were handed over to the relatives.
Several more people were also burnt in the accident. Of them 9 people are at present admitted at Burn Unit ICU and Post Operative department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
On Friday evening DMCH Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit Chief Coordinator Dr. Samantalal Sen said, 14 people came here to take treatment. Of them 9 are kept at ICU and Post Operative department. And the rest were discharged. The admitted are in critical condition. Their tracheas were burnt. Those who came here all are passersby and burnt with chemicals.
AH
