Over Three Hundred Hotels, No Fire Station: Kuakata at Great Risk of Fire Disaster
A risk of major losses from fire has been created in Kuakata, the sea-beach-based tourist centre of Patuakhali. Many hotels, motels and businesses there have no fire extinguishers at all; and in the establishments that do have fire-fighting systems, many of the pieces of equipment have expired. On top of this, no fire service station has yet been established in Kuakata.
Although more than three hundred hotels and motels have been built in Kuakata municipal town, it has been learned that most of them have no fire-fighting arrangements. Exactly how many hotels and motels in Kuakata have fire extinguishers and how many do not — even the Fire Service does not have the correct information.
The biggest area of concern is distance. The nearest fire service station to Kuakata is 22 kilometres away in Kalapara town. Those concerned fear that by the time a fire service vehicle arrives from so far away in an emergency, the extent of fire damage will have increased greatly.
The Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners' Association has said that among the more than three hundred hotels and motels, most of the first-class hotels have fire extinguishers. The organisation has instructed that fire extinguishers be installed and kept functional in all establishments ahead of the tourism carnival to be held in Kuakata on October 23 and 24.
Local resident Awal Mia said Kuakata was declared a tourist centre in 1998. In a long 27 years, more than three hundred hotels have been built in Kuakata, and more than five hundred businesses have been constructed. But even today, no fire service station has been built in Kuakata. In his words, due to the absence of a fire service, many establishments in Kuakata have previously burned down in fires, and most hotels have no fire extinguishers either.
Zahirul Islam Miron, a member of the Tour Operator Association of Kuakata, said they are anxious following the fire incident at a resort at Patuartek beach in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. There is no fire service station in Kuakata, and most hotels have no fire-fighting arrangements — if a fire breaks out, everything could burn down within moments.
He also said that if a fire incident occurs at any resort in Kuakata, as in Cox's Bazar, there remains a fear of extensive damage. He therefore demanded that fire extinguishers be ensured in all hotels and motels, along with the establishment of a fire service station within the quickest possible time.
Motaleb Shari, president of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners' Association, said most first-class hotels have fire-fighting arrangements. Instructions have been given to keep fire extinguishers in the new hotels that are being built.
He also said, 'Ahead of the tourism carnival on October 23 and 24, all hotels and motels have been told to keep fire-fighting arrangements functional. We have informed the hotel owners again and again. The administration will take action against those who have still not installed fire extinguishers in their hotels.'
A similar warning has also come from the Fire Service. Sabbir Ahmed, warehouse inspector at the office of the assistant director of the Patuakhali Fire Service, said they do not have the correct information on exactly how many hotels in Kuakata have fire extinguishers. However, they will prepare a new digital list, and the licences will be digitised.
He said legal action will be taken against those among the previously urged to take fire service licences who have still not taken a licence and have not installed fire extinguishers in their hotels.
This warning came at the very time when tourist crowds in Kuakata are increasing ahead of the tourism carnival. Local businessmen and tour operators have a single demand — ensuring effective fire-fighting arrangements in every hotel and motel, and establishing a fire service station of Kuakata's own. Otherwise, the fear remains that any fire could turn into a major disaster.
