Illegal canal encroachments hamper firefighting efforts in Bhola market blaze

An inferno that consumed two warehouses in the Bhola town commercial district on Sunday has sparked widespread outrage over the systematic encroachment of public infrastructure. The fire, which gutted the “Shari Bitan” textile business, was exacerbated by a critical lack of water access, as illegal shops built atop historic canal-side docking points prevented firefighters from drawing water for nearly 20 minutes.

The blaze, which originated on the second floor of the Shari Bitan building, was initially tackled by local shopkeepers and employees before the arrival of three units from the Bhola District Fire Service. Despite the proximity of the Bhola Canal, emergency responders were unable to deploy their pumping equipment due to storefronts and permanent structures occupying the municipal ghats—areas specifically designed for cargo handling and emergency water access.

By the time firefighters established a secondary water source and brought the flames under control after a 90-minute operation, the business had sustained extensive losses. Owner Md. Sohel estimated that his inventory of saris and textiles, valued at between 25 and 30 lakh taka, had been entirely destroyed. Fire officials, including Deputy Assistant Director Md. Liton Ahmed, pointed to a preliminary investigation suggesting an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire, noting that total damages could range between 15 and 20 lakh taka.

Local business leaders argue that the catastrophe was avoidable. Mofizul Islam, president of the Chawkbazar Textile Owners Association, emphasized that the canal landings were constructed specifically to serve as a vital lifeline during fire emergencies. He asserted that the municipal decision to allocate these spaces for commercial shops has effectively compromised the fire safety of the entire business district, including the footwear and stationery sectors.

Bangladesh plans rail link expansion and shorter Dhaka-Chittagong travel times

Read Article

The encroachment issue remains a subject of ongoing legal and administrative contention. The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) previously secured interim directives from the High Court for the eviction of illegal structures along the canal. However, despite initial demolition efforts, local activists and civil society members claim that enforcement has been inconsistent and largely performative. S.M. Bahauddin, a member of the District Citizens Committee, alleged that the municipality itself has participated in the occupation by constructing roads and shops over the canal’s natural trajectory.

District Administrator Shamim Rahman acknowledged the gravity of the incident and stated that authorities would review the operational failures encountered by the fire service. He noted that the administration would investigate the blockages while balancing the process with ongoing legal matters related to the canal’s status. Meanwhile, Golam Nabi Alamgir, president of the Bhola Chamber of Commerce, described the loss of the public docking areas as a significant setback, pledging that if the administration clears the encroachments, the District Council is prepared to fund the restoration of proper access to the canal.