Around 300 tourists had a narrow escape when a fire broke out in the parking area of “The Sea Princess” residential hotel at Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon.
The fire originated in the ground-floor parking area at around 4pm while approximately 300 tourists were staying inside the hotel. A major disaster was averted due to the prompt response of the fire service and hotel authorities, with no casualties reported.
Upon receiving the information, a unit from Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence quickly arrived at the scene and brought the blaze under control after about half an hour of effort. The incident caused damage to the generator and several parts of the parking area.
Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain said a unit from the nearest fire station promptly reached the spot and controlled the fire. He stated that the fire is suspected to have originated from an electrical short-circuit in the generator and confirmed that no casualties occurred.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s Managing Director Abdul Kader said that the hotel maintains adequate fire-fighting systems. He credited the efficiency of the staff for preventing a major accident and assured that all tourists staying at the hotel are safe.
The incident comes amidst heightened concerns over tourist safety in Cox’s Bazar following recent accidents. On Saturday, 17 October, 10 tourists died in a fire at “TupTup Resto & Resort” in the Patuartek area of Inani, Ukhiya. Four days later, on Wednesday evening, five tourists drowned after being swept away by sea currents while bathing at Himchhari beach.
Against this backdrop, the issue of ensuring fire safety and overall security for tourists at residential hotels and resorts in tourist spots has come to the fore once again.
