Staff Correspondent

Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence has insisted on deploying own guards at night at the markets in the country.

Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director (Operations and Maintenance), made the insistence while addressing a press conference at Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence head office on Sunday afternoon.

"They will not only help prevent any sabotage but also, given the current high temperature in the country, if any flammable substance catches fire, they can immediately take action to put it out," he said.

He said: "I want to tell the traders of the markets and owners' associations to deploy own personnel at different points of their markets throughout night. It will not only help check any subversive activity, but also help douse the fire if it is caused by any inflammable substance due to excessive temperature."

Narrating the risks at the markets in the capital, Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said there are nine 'extremely risky,' 14 'moderately risky,' and 35 'risky' markets in the capital.

The extremely risky markets are -- Gausia Market, Barishal Plaza Market, Rajdhani and New Rajdhani Super Market, Alauddin Market, Shakil Anwar Tower, Shahidullah Market, Sharif Market, Maya Katara and Roslyn Vista.

Colonel Tajul Islam said that the New Super Market was marked risky and they were repeatedly informed of the matter.

Tajul Islam said that on behalf of the Fire Service, they have visited several markets along with DGFI-NSI members.
"But we are sorry to say that what we have seen in the inspection is not satisfactory," he said.

"We have talked to four market owner associations and gave them ideas about how to deal with fire," he added.

He said goods cannot be stockpiled in the shops, on corridors, staircases and shop premises. Besides, smoking would not be allowed inside the markets.

Earlier on Saturday morning, a massive fire broke out at New Super Market, next to New Market in the capital.