Fire breakouts in the country are a common occurrence throughout the year. Then again, there are also those incidents of fire that leave a deep mark on our minds. Last year’s Chawkbazar fire outbreak to Gulshan’s DNCC market fire, these two have been the most prominent fire incidents in the capital.
This year, yet again another blazing inferno pushes our minds to think about how much more we have to focus on fire safety. Especially, when five people died of a fire that broke out at the corona isolation unit of United Hospital in the capital, conscious people cannot help but think how such an incident can take place in a hospital, let alone in the corona isolation unit.
It is quite disconcerting that a fire can breakout in a hospital unit and claim the lives of five patients. Hospitals are thought to be safe havens by all and such an incident taking place in one of the most renowned hospitals in the country is quite discouraging.
Hospitals are thought to be safe havens by all and such
an incident taking place in one of the most renowned
hospitals in the country raises questions about proper fire safety
Already, the hospital authorities have said in the statement that they speculate the origin of the fire to be from a short circuit which quickly spread due to the windy weather of the day of the incident. Still, this does not beggar the question of why the authorities were so poorly organized that five patients had to lose their lives.
There have also been reports that the fire broke out on the first floor of the hospital and the fire was quickly brought under control with the hospital’s own fire extinguishing equipment after contacting the first responders. This shows the making of quick decision and executing it properly on part of the hospital authority and demands lauding.
According to a report published by WHO about fire safety protocols, alongside various important issues which have been highlighted was the point of fire safety training for all.
And the quick dousing of the flames in the United Hospital shows that proper training against these incidents can save lives. The lives that were lost should be remembered and mourned but the lives that were saved due to proper training and rapid action are something that should be reflected upon.