CAAB issues fire alert at all airports across country

GBDESK//

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has recently issued a high alert at all airports of the country due to the repeated incidents of fire in recent times.

Warnings have been issued considering the airports as sensitive and important facilities.

On Sunday, the commissioner of Dhaka Customs in a letter to CAAB said the fire risk level is very high in the customs houses and warehouses which are under the control of CAAB.

“If adequate precautions are not taken, there is potential for major revenue risks,” warned the notice.

CAAB has already beefed up security at various locations, especially at the Dhaka airport’s Customs House, airfreight warehouses and the import and export cargo village.

The authority has also issued three directives to prevent fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Group Captain Kamrul Islam, executive director, HSIA told The Daily Star they have received directions from CAAB which include that everyone should have fire control training, and keep the contact number of the nearest fire-fighting station.

“We are very alert about dealing with fire outbreaks. We have already issued a warning notice to all airport authorities,” a CAAB official said.

Kamrul Islam said, a few days ago, they conducted a fire drill to ensure that everyone is prepared to deal with a fire.

“We are always vigilant and conducting inspections, and have been training personnel for fire extinguishing over the last few days,” the HSIA executive director said.

He added: “Our vehicles are ready, with standby support from the Bangladesh Air Force and fire service.”

He further said all electrical connections are regularly checked.

Dhaka Customs in a notice said, import-export cargo village warehouses under all airports of the country, store various life-saving medicines, important products for the state, industrial raw materials, and various chemicals.

They can catch fire at any time and cause major damage, so precautionary measures should be taken to protect the cargo village warehouses under the airports from fire.

Dhaka Customs asked CAAB to strengthen and ensure the firefighting system.

In the letter, Commissioner of Dhaka Customs AKM Narul Huda Azad also mentioned, the fire risk level is very high in the customs houses and warehouses of Dhaka. Therefore, government revenue is also at risk. In the interest of the security of the cargo complex, cargo village and the entire area, the firefighting system should be strengthened and ensured.