THE owner of a run-down building in Jidhafs, where three Bangladeshi workers burned to death, broke down in tears yesterday while meeting their envoy.
Two of the men - Tofa Mia, 40, and Kodor Mia, 32 - were brothers and had been in Bahrain for 17 and 15 years respectively.
They are under the sponsorship of the building owner's nephew, though not working for him, official sources said yesterday.
All three came from Sylhet, the north-eastern part of Bangladesh.
"The owner of the house and his nephew came to the embassy accompanied by some of the blaze survivors who had nothing but nice things to say about the owner," said embassy first secretary Mohammed Ibrahim.
"The owner actually broke down in tears during the meeting.
"He kept apologising for having allowed the people to stay in the building.
"The building owner said that he knew it was unsafe, but the workers, who earned so little, were desperate for cheap accommodation."
Mr Ibrahim said that the sponsor had promised to make arrangements for the repatriation of the two bodies.
"We are also trying to get compensation for the victims (if they are eligible for social insurance) as well as from the sponsors.
"We have already talked about this with their sponsor and he has agreed to discuss it once the repatriation process is over.
"He has also promised to help the survivors find a new place to stay and make sure the new place will be safe and nothing like the previous one."
Seven others were injured in the blaze that broke out at about 4am on Friday at the dilapidated home.
The third man - Mohammed Masood, 47 - is believed to be a free visa worker.
Embassy officials were able to contact his sponsor yesterday.
The Bahraini woman reportedly didn't know that Mr Masood died in the incident and she is scheduled to meet embassy officials today.
Mr Ibrahim said that the embassy would send a report to the Labour Ministry to call on the Bahrain government to step up inspections on similar dilapidated buildings.
"Just next to the charred building is another old house that is equally unsuitable," he said.
"Fortunately, the fire did not spread to this building, though the chances were high.
"There are so many more rundown buildings around Bahrain and the municipalities should be pointing out the ones that need to be renovated.
It is believed that 22 free visa and legal workers lived in the house.
They were all construction workers and those who escaped unhurt were now staying with friends and relatives.
The injured are still being treated at Salmaniya Medical Complex's Accident and Emergency Department, while the bodies of the dead are being kept at the mortuary.
Northern Municipal councillor Ahmed Al Alawi earlier said the tragedy was waiting to happen because of the state of the building.
He said it lacked basic health and safety standards and was about to collapse and thus should never have been rented out.
Sources said the fire was thought to have started on the second floor and was probably caused by a gas leak.
Hours after the fire was put out, police supervised the demolition of the building that also posed a danger to neighbours and passers-by.
Meanwhile, the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions yesterday expressed its concern over the incident.
It said that there have been a string of incidents where workers died either at unsafe accommodations or worksites.
The union called on the government to set up an investigation committee, including representatives from the federation, to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter.
begena@gdn.com.bh
