With a desire to live, Rocky dies

Kamrul Habib Rocky (21) died while talking on a video call desperately asking to be saved from the all-encompassing devastating fire at a Bailey Road commercial building in Dhaka on Thursday (February 29). But his desire to live at last ended in the terrible fire.

Rocky, coming from Jashore, joined a job at Kacchi Bhai restaurant located at Green Cozy Cottage at Bailey Road in the capital just two months ago to support his family. He is the son of Kabir Hossain from Dhopakhola village under Jashore Sadar upazila.

Rocky, who died after getting trapped in the fire, came to the capital from home only two months ago seeking a job. On Friday, he returned home as a dead body amid mourning at his Dhopakhola home.

His body reached the village house around 11:00am on Friday. On the news of his death, relatives and neighbours flocked to take a look. Their moaning and wailing created an atmosphere of mourning in the whole area.

Jihad Hossain, maternal uncle of Rocky, said, “I made a video call on Rocky's messenger on Thursday night, but he did not receive it. Later, he called me back desperately seeking help from me to save him. ‘Mama’, he told me, ‘a fire has erupted at our branch (Kacchi Bhai Bailey Road branch). I am stuck…save me’… and after a while the call was cut. I called 999 and reported the matter. They said rescue work is going on, be patient. Then I left Jashore for Dhaka. I found Rocky in the hospital there. He was declared dead by that time.”

“I took Rocky to Dhaka. After he got the job two months ago, I introduced him to different areas of Dhaka. Rocky joined the job last December. Today, I have returned home with his body,” said the uncle, breaking into tears.

Kamran Hossain Sajim, younger brother of Rocky, said, “After passing the Alim examinations he joined Kachhi Bhai as a cashier. A fire broke out while working there on Thursday. He was trapped inside the building. He died while being rescued and taken to the hospital. He died of suffocation due to the smoke of the fire.”

Sajim said, “Rocky is the eldest among our three brothers. As the eldest son of the family, he took charge of the family. Father runs the family by driving an easy bike. Our family was running on the income of both of them. I never imagined losing my brother in this way.”

Meanwhile, mourning is going on at Rocky’s home. The surroundings became heavy with the weeping and wailings of relatives. Neighbours also heaved deep sighs reminiscing memories of Rocky. They have lost the words to comfort their relatives.

Rocky's mother Ripa Begum and father Kabir Hossain were speechless. They are wailing only for the child.