A devastating fire broke out at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya early Friday, killing an elderly woman and destroying more than 45 shelters along with an NGO office.
The fire erupted around 3am at the E-5 and E-14 blocks of Balukhali Camp-11, triggering panic as flames spread rapidly through the densely populated settlement.
The victim, Sona Banu, 86, a resident of E-14 block, died at the scene after suffering severe burn injuries, local Rohingya residents said.
Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said six units — three from Ukhiya and three more from Cox’s Bazar and Ramu — worked for nearly two hours before bringing the blaze under control around 4:30am.
Senior Station Officer Dolon Acharyya said initial reports suggested damage to about 25 shelters and one NGO office, but later assessments confirmed that more than 45 structures were destroyed. The extent of losses is still being assessed.
Fire officials suspect an electrical short circuit may have caused the blaze. However, sources said the fire might have originated from the office of NGO Forum for Public Health located in E-14 block.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause.
Members of the Fire Service, Bangladesh Army, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), and Rohingya volunteers jointly worked to contain the fire.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmed said the body had been recovered and would be handed over to relatives after legal formalities.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said necessary assistance was being arranged for the affected families and an inquiry was underway.
The incident comes amid a series of fires in Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. On 20 January this year, a major fire in Camp-16 of Palongkhali Union destroyed around 500 shelters.
