In 2025, the Fire Service and Civil Defence carried out fire safety inspections on 10,533 buildings nationwide. Out of these, 622 buildings (5.91%) were labeled as highly risky, and 3,316 buildings (31.49%) were classified as risky. This means that over 37% of the inspected buildings were deemed vulnerable in terms of fire safety, while the remaining 6,595 buildings were reported to have satisfactory safety levels.
The highest number of inspections in 2025 focused on garment factories, totaling 1,533. Among these, 88 were identified as highly risky and 592 as risky. Hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers also underwent scrutiny, with 1,533 inspections resulting in 85 highly risky and 565 risky findings.
Furthermore, government buildings were examined, with 652 inspections revealing 35 highly risky and 185 risky structures. Shopping malls, restaurants, educational institutions, and other establishments were also inspected, with varying levels of risk identified.
Lt Col Tajul Islam Chowdhury, the director of operations at the Fire Service, emphasized their classification of buildings based on fire safety risks. He highlighted their efforts in conducting inspections, providing guidance on safety measures, issuing notices, and utilizing mobile courts when necessary. The agency also conducts year-round awareness activities and training programs to enhance fire safety preparedness.
According to the 2025 annual report, a total of 27,059 fire incidents occurred across the country during the year, averaging about 75 incidents per day. These incidents resulted in 267 injuries and 85 fatalities, including casualties among fire service personnel. The total property loss due to fires was estimated at Tk 569.97 crore, but intervention efforts reportedly saved property worth approximately Tk 3,263.62 crore.
Electrical faults were identified as the leading cause of fires in 2025, followed by incidents related to lit cigarette remnants, stoves, gas cylinder leaks, and gas supply line leaks. Residential buildings experienced the highest number of fire incidents, with fires also reported in various other locations such as haystacks, shops, markets, and educational institutions.
In the transport sector, fire incidents involved buses, other vehicles, trains, launches, and ships. The report detailed the gender distribution of those injured and fatalities across different types of fire incidents.
To enhance fire prevention measures, mobile courts were deployed, resulting in fines imposed on establishments and legal actions taken against some. Tajul Islam emphasized the importance of taking precautions, especially during winter when the risk of fire incidents tends to increase due to dry combustible materials and unsafe fire practices.