Home adviser assures justice for firefighter’s death

Following the namaz-e-na naza for firefighter Noyon, who died after being run over by a truck while extinguishing a fire at the Secretariat, on Thursday, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured justice for those responsible.

He said: “One of my employees has died, and this failure is mine. Justice will definitely be served.”

He made this statement to journalists on Thursday afternoon after the Namaz-E-Janaza at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters.

Earlier in the day, the body of firefighter Noyon, wrapped in the national flag, was brought to the headquarters for the namaz-e-J=janaza.

Before the prayer, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury paid his respects to Noyon and bid him farewell with state honours.

The home affairs Adviser expressed his grief, saying: “We bear responsibility for the failure that led to Shoanur Zaman Noyon's death. Trucks should not have been allowed to operate in that area while firefighters were working, yet they were. However, we have already apprehended the truck driver and will bring him to justice under the law.”

He added: “Yesterday (Wednesday), our firefighter Noyon tragically died in an accident. We pray for the peace of his soul.”

“Noyon was very young, having served the fire service for only two years. He died while on duty, and we can all imagine the state of his parents. He was recently transferred from Sylhet to Dhaka due to his expertise, as he was highly skilled and brought in to serve in a special team,” said the home affairs adviser.

When asked why the truck was allowed into such a critical area during a fire, leading to the death of the firefighter, the Adviser said: “It was a failure. Trucks should not have been allowed in the area. However, we have apprehended the driver and will ensure justice.”

Regarding the delay in extinguishing the fire, he explained: “The time required to control a fire depends on its nature, access for fire service vehicles, water supply, and other logistical obstacles. The Fire Service personnel made their best efforts, with 19 units working together to bring the fire under control.”

On the source of the fire, he said: “We have formed a high-powered investigation committee. Once their report is submitted, you will know the cause of the fire.”