| The wooden TupTup Resort in Cox’s Bazar, where a fire killed 10 people on Saturday, continued operating despite being identified as a fire risk and receiving a warning from the Fire Service in June, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Junaid said.
Speaking at a press briefing on fire safety during Sharadiya Durga Puja at the Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka, the DG said that the resort at Patowartek Beach in Inani, Ukhia, had been operating without the required fire safety licence and certification.
He said the resort was inspected in June and identified as vulnerable to fire hazards. The authorities issued a notice and warned the establishment about the risk, but it continued its operations.
The three-storey wooden structure had a restaurant on the ground floor, where food was prepared, while the second and third floors accommodated tourists.
The Fire Service received information about the fire at around 7:30am on Saturday. The nearest fire station was 22 kilometres from the resort, the DG said.
Firefighters reached the scene and worked to bring the blaze under control before extinguishing it completely. Ten bodies were recovered from the site.
Asked about the resort’s failure to obtain the necessary licence and its continued operation despite the warning, the DG said the establishment had not been operating in accordance with the rules.
He said many resorts made of wood and other flammable materials in Cox’s Bazar and other tourist destinations were operating without the necessary approvals. The Fire Service would consult the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority and relevant associations and take steps to bring such establishments under scrutiny, he added.
The DG also stressed the need to communicate fire safety messages through the development authority and relevant associations. Warning that the risk of similar accidents could increase during the coming dry season, he urged those concerned to remain alert.
On the cause of the fire at TupTup Resort, he said it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions based on assumptions. The cause could be established only after a thorough investigation.
Asked why establishments identified as risky continued to operate despite receiving notices and what action would be taken against similar resorts across the country, the DG said the Fire Service would review the measures needed to prevent such incidents.
He said initiatives would be considered to improve safety despite limitations in existing laws and monitoring arrangements.
The DG also highlighted challenges faced by firefighters in densely populated areas, particularly Old Dhaka, where frequent fires, unauthorised factories and warehouses, and the presence of explosive materials pose risks.
Narrow roads and insufficient space between buildings make it difficult for firefighting vehicles and equipment to reach incident sites quickly, he said.
He stressed the need to follow building regulations and codes, while acknowledging that installing all necessary safety measures at once in old settlements and structures was difficult and would take time. Authorities were repeatedly raising awareness among those planning new buildings and businesses about the need to comply with regulations.
To improve emergency response in congested areas, the Fire Service is considering specialised three-wheeled vehicles that can move through narrow roads, he said, adding that the department is also considering motorcycle units carrying hosepipes that could be connected to water reservoirs in nearby buildings to help firefighters tackle fires.
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