Published : 18 Dec 2025, 01:40 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:53 PM
Inside narrow lanes, one-storey brick houses have been topped with three to four additional floors made of bamboo, tin and wood, which are rented out.
In Old Dhaka’s Islambagh, these structures are used at the same time as residences and as factories or warehouses for storing goods.
Fire Service personnel once again ran into difficulties while trying to extinguish a fire there.
Deputy Director of the Fire Service Dhaka Division Md Saleh Uddin expressed his frustration, saying: “The way these structures have been built here, they do not fall into any category of buildings.”
On Wednesday around 1:30pm, the Fire Service received reports of a blaze at a plastic warehouse near the Chairman Ghat of Islambagh.
One after another, 11 units went to the scene to put out the flames.
After the fire was tamed around 4pm, Officer Saleh briefed the media, outlining the overall situation.
He said, “Just look at the houses and the roads here. The roads are so narrow that a single person cannot walk properly. Because of this, Fire Service personnel face many risks.
“Despite dealing with these risks and adverse conditions, we managed to bring the fire under control. The blaze, however, has not yet been fully extinguished. Firefighters are still working inside,” he added.
He added that no casualties had been reported, and a full search of the area would be conducted once the fire is fully contained.
“After that, we will be able to determine the cause of the fire. An investigation committee will also be formed to assess the losses,” he said.
Nearly every year, a factory or warehouse in Lalbagh’s plastic business hub catches fire. Investigations are carried out each time, but the problems persist.
Asked whether the site of Wednesday’s fire was residential or commercial, officer Saleh said: “Look through my eyes, through a safety officer’s eyes, or a residential perspective… We live in Dhaka. Is this a residential area or a commercial area? What kind of building is this?
“The lower floors are brick, and the upper levels rise four floors with tin sheets. We cannot understand how any person in their conscience would construct and rent such buildings.”
He added, “These structures do not fall into any category of buildings. If we consider the Bangladesh National Building Code or safety standards, these do not qualify as buildings. Residents here live under extreme risk.”
All the plastic factories in the zone are illegal. Asked about their legality, Saleh said: “These are not clearly defined as plastic factories, warehouses, shops, or toy outlets. Some sell plastic pellets, others cut polythene to make products -- you cannot classify them as shops, warehouses or factories.”
He said, immediately after receiving news of the fire, teams from the nearest Lalbagh Fire Station were dispatched. Observing the scale of the blaze, additional units were moved from Palashi, Siddique Bazar and Sadarghat stations.
"The search team will begin operations once the fire is out, after which it can be confirmed whether there are any casualties," he added.
