Over the past decade, Benapole Land Port in Jashore has experienced eight fires in its warehouses and storage yards. Although investigation committees were formed immediately after each incident, traders have received no compensation. Following a recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, users of Benapole Land Port have expressed alarm. They say port and police authorities must remain vigilant to prevent any deliberate sabotage. The port administration, however, claims it is now more alert, implementing strict monitoring alongside necessary security measures. Recently, a Fire Service delegation inspected the land port and offered several recommendations to ensure fire safety.
Most of Benapole’s larger warehouses and open yards are equipped with their own firefighting equipment, but it is insufficient for the volume of goods stored. Highly flammable imports are often kept alongside regular cargo due to space constraints, increasing the risk of fire. The most recent major incident occurred on August 26, 2024, when a fire at Shed 35 destroyed goods worth millions.
Port users report that over the last ten years, there have been eight fires at Benapole warehouses. Each time, the port authorities failed to control the blaze due to inadequate equipment. Fire Service personnel eventually brought the fires under control, but by then, valuable imported goods were already destroyed. Importers have received no compensation for these losses.
According to port sources, Benapole has 38 warehouses and open yards with a combined storage capacity of 47,440 tons, but nearly 150,000 tons of goods are currently stored. This overcrowding has sharply increased the risk of fire.
Recent inspections of various warehouses at the land port show highly flammable and regular goods stored side by side. Among them are drums of dyes, sacks of raising powder, and printing inks. Portable fire extinguishers are located nearby, but in limited numbers.
In Shed 34, flammable materials, including motor vehicle engine oil and lubricants, are stored haphazardly. Similar conditions exist in Shed 29 and the empty truck terminal area. There are no effective fire-fighting arrangements in these locations.
Port users report that on October 2, 2016, a massive fire broke out in Shed 23 at Benapole Land Port. The blaze destroyed a wide range of goods, including imported fabrics for the garment industry, dyes, various chemicals, industrial machinery and parts, motor vehicle components, fiber, mosquito repellent sprays, cotton, and paper, causing losses worth hundreds of millions of takas. Although an investigation committee was formed at the time, traders received no compensation even after three years.
Ziaur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole Landport Importers and Exporters Association, said, “Every warehouse and open yard at the port is at risk of fire. Alongside increasing monitoring, fire safety measures must be strengthened.” He added that the risk of deliberate sabotage at the port cannot be dismissed.
Mofizur Rahman Sajan, former president of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said, “Storage space at the port needs to be expanded. Highly flammable goods must be kept in secure locations. Warehouses must have their own firefighting arrangements. Only then can this problem be addressed.”
Mizanur Rahman Khan, president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce, warned that Benapole Land Port remains at high risk of fire. Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, “In recent years, many traders have lost everything in fires. Despite repeated warnings, no measures have been taken. In some cases, goods in the warehouses are not even insured for unclear reasons. Traders pay revenue and port fees, yet the safety of their imported goods is not ensured.” He called for a strict security perimeter and full CCTV coverage across the port.
A recent inspection of the port’s warehouses by a delegation from the Benapole Fire Service and Civil Defence revealed insufficient fire safety measures. Officer in charge Bayezid Bostami said, “The port’s fire safety infrastructure is inadequate. We have recommended proper guidelines for storing flammable materials and ensuring the necessary fire protection measures.”
Shamim Hossain, director of Benapole Land Port, said, “Every warehouse is equipped with fire hydrants and fire pumps. Still, it cannot be claimed that the risk of fire is eliminated.” He added that strict security measures have been implemented to prevent any attempt at sabotage.