The devastating fire that broke out during the monsoon at Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, owned by Dhaka North City Corporation, highlights the sensitivity of the capital’s markets to fire accidents.
The fire broke out at 3:30 am on Wednesday and was brought under control after about five hours with the efforts of the fire service, Army, Navy and Air Force. However, during this time the fire destroyed 250 shops, leaving countless traders with no means of livelihood.
Following the fire, as is often the case, irregularities and lack of proper management by the market authorities have come to light. Mohammadpur Agricultural Market is also no exception to this pattern. Initially, the fire service and civil defense officials suspected electrical short circuit or mosquito coil as the possible cause of the fire.
However, according to a report by Prothom Alo, there were several factors that could have caused a fire or any other accident within the market.