
‘Agnisena’ Sohel Rana laid to rest at Kishoreganj home
Staff Correspondent
Fire Service has honoured the firefighter by dubbing him ‘Agnisena’ Firefighter Sohel Rana, who died from serious injuries sustained while rescuing people from the massive fire in Banani’s FR Tower, has been laid to rest at his village home at the Itna upazila in Kishoreganj. His first namaz-e-janaza was held at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. He was buried at Keruala under the Chouganga union, Itna after a second janaza later in the day.
Fire Service has also honoured Sohel by dubbing him as a martyr and “Agnisena,” according to a press release signed by Fire Service Director Maj AKM Shakil Newaz. Sohel was termed a hero and highly praised by all quarters after the news of his injury during the March 28 fire disaster, which claimed 27 lives and left many injured, spread in the media. He received grave injuries in his legs and stomach after he was trapped in a ladder that day while rescuing people from the burning FR Tower.
The firefighter was immediately taken to the Combined Military Hospital and later flown to Singapore for better treatment. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital there in the early hours of Monday. His body was brought back to Dhaka later that night. A guard of honour was also given to him at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after the body arrived in an air ambulance. People from all walks of life on social media have been paying rich tributes to Sohel, who was the sole earning member of his family, since the news of his death broke.
A man who always helped others Sohel Rana’s younger brother Ujjal Miah said Sohel had a tendency to help people since his childhood. “We are proud of him; he sacrificed his life for the country and people,” Ujjal added. “However, his death sits heavily with our family as he was the sole earner.
I hope the prime minister will help us.” Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday said the government will try to arrange employment for any member of Sohel’s family if they are able to work. He said: “We have come to know that Sohel Rana was the only earning member of his family. Therefore, the Fire Services, along with us, government officials, will do everything we can to assist them.” “The prime minister is also planning to aid the family,” the minister added.