Home Adviser assures of best treatment for firemen

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the four fire service personnel who suffered burn injuries in an explosion at a chemical warehouse in Tongi on Monday at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS) and assured them of giving them the best treatment.

"They will be given the best treatment. No negligence will be shown in this connection," he said.

He was speaking to journalists at the NIBPS in the capital after visiting the burn victims on Tuesday.

The Home Adviser also assured that they will be given all support from the government, the Home Ministry, and the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) for ensuring their best treatment.

"We are trying our best and giving every possible support. The rest is up to Allah," he said.

Replying to a question about measures against chemical go-downs to prevent recurrence of such incidents, Jahangir said the chemical warehouses were shifted to Munshiganj after several incidents in Old Dhaka.

NIBPS Director Dr Md. Nashir Uddin said the condition of the three victims is critical as two of them suffered nearly 100 per cent burn injuries, one sustained 42 per cent burns, while one is in intermediate condition with five per cent burns.

"We will do whatever is required from our side," he said.

Four fire service personnel sustained burn injuries when an explosion took place at a tin-shed chemical go-down while they were dousing a flame that erupted in the warehouse at Sahara Market in Tongi, Gazipur, around 3:29 pm on Monday, fire service sources said.

Seven firefighting engines brought the fire under control around 7:00 pm on Monday night after around two hours of frantic efforts.

Firefighters Shamim (42) and Nurul Huda (40) suffered nearly 100 per cent burn injuries, while Fire Officer Khondoker Jannatul Nayem (35) sustained 42 per cent burn wounds, and firefighter Joy Hasan (24) received five per cent burn injuries.

Director General (DG) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal last night visited the injured fire service personnel at the NIBPS immediately after all the burn victims were taken to the facility.