SM Rezaul terms deaths Banani fire victims as murders

Public Works and Housing Minister SM Rezaul Karim today termed the deaths of Banani FR Tower fire victims ‘murders’ as scores of innocent people were killed due to negligence of a section of fraudulent people.

“We clearly want to say that those who died in the fire incident were not the victims of any accident, rather they were murdered,” the minister told reporters after visiting the fire-hit FR Tower located in city’s Banani area this morning, BSS reported.

Owners of buildings must ensure security, the minister said, adding, “We will take stern actions against RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), City Corporation and owners of building whoever responsible for the fire incident.

If they are found guilty in probe, a criminal case will be filed against them, the minister warned.

“Housing and Public Works Ministry, City Corporation and other ministries are investing the fire incident, he said adding, “We will make the report public. No reports will be concealed.”

Rezaul said FR Tower had an approval of 18 storied in 1996 while in 2007 they submitted an application to RAJUK for building 23-storied building, but there was no document regarding the approval of RAJUK.

He informed that the ministry has formed a 6-member fact finding committee on Banani FR Tower fire and ordered to submit its report within 10 working days. RAJUK also formed a fact finding committee and they will submit their report within three working days.

At least 25 people were killed and around 73 others injured yesterday as a devastating fire tore through the 22-storey FR Tower in the capital’s Banani area.

The incident took place a little over a month after a fire killed at least 70 people in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area.