A fire triggered by underground gas escaping during the installation of a deep tube-well in the tourist area of Inani in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, has remained uncontrolled for over two days.
By Wednesday evening, the flames continued to burn incessantly, with increasing gas emissions after dusk expanding the fire and escalating panic among local residents.
Although an expert team from the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex) visited the scene, technical operations could not be initiated as of Wednesday evening.
Fearing that the flames might spread to overhead electrical cables, a 33kV power supply line covering an area of approximately 15 kilometres from Monkhali to Patuartek has been shut down.
Consequently, over 3,800 families have been left without electricity for two consecutive days, severely disrupting daily life, local businesses, and operations in tourism-reliant hotels and restaurants.
Residents faced severe hardship as food stored in refrigerators spoiled amidst growing security anxieties.
Power shutdown causes widespread disruption
The incident began around 7:30am on Tuesday on a homestead belonging to local resident Mohammad Abdullah, located near the Inani Chhota Khal bridge in Jaliapalong union under Ukhiya upazila.
Malodorous gas started leaking from the hole during tube-well digging and caught fire shortly afterwards. Four units of the Fire Service rushed to the scene and attempted to extinguish the fire, but continuous gas emissions prevented them from bringing it under control.
Saidul Islam, officer at the Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence Station, said four units were operating at the site and keeping the Fire Service headquarters, Bapex, and Petrobangla regularly updated.
He explained that the gas was believed to be emerging from a depth of approximately 1,000 feet, making it difficult to handle with the Fire Service’s existing manpower and technical equipment.
Saidul added that although Bapex experts visited on Tuesday night, attempts to collect gas samples on Wednesday morning failed due to the intensity of the fire and gas pressure.
A Bapex survey team, led by SM Nafifun Arham, manager (geology) of Bapex and head of the geological survey team, inspected the site at around 10pm on Tuesday.
Nafifun Arham explained that workers digging the tube-well had likely reached close to a gas layer at a depth of about 1,000 feet, allowing high-pressure gas to channel upward through underground micro-cracks or geological faults and breach the surface through the well hole.
He noted that sparks caused by human activity or electrical sources may have ignited the escaping gas.
Geological warnings, safety measures
Observing the colour of the flame and smoke, the geologist noted that relatively heavy hydrocarbons might be present in the gas, though laboratory analysis of samples is required to confirm its exact composition and nature.
Warning against attempts to forcibly seal the gas flow, Nafifun Arham cautioned that suppressing the pressure could force gas to erupt through other weak subterranean points, worsening the danger.
Consequently, experts are prioritising safety and site security over immediate containment while attempting alternative sample collection methods.
To alleviate public suffering, Kaizar Nur, deputy general manager (DGM) of Ukhiya Palli Bidyut Samity, said work was underway to install a 200-metre alternative electricity supply line following advice from the Bapex team to restore power as quickly as possible.
Local housewife Sadia Islam expressed anguish over spoiled food and living in darkness and fear for two days. Mohammad Alamin, a local youth working at a nearby five-star hotel, recalled the panic among hotel staff staying in adjacent quarters when the fire erupted suddenly.
Other residents, including Sohag, Rafiq Uddin, Sirajul Islam, and Saifullah Sikder, along with local public representatives Zahed Hossain and Samshul Alam, and Farida Yasmin, reserved female member, expressed deep concern over security and prolonged powerlessness.
Panna Akter, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Ukhiya, said no precise timeline could be given for controlling the gas fire.
She urged local residents to remain vigilant, requested cooperation to maintain law and order, and appealed to everyone not to spread panic while alternative power restoration efforts continue.
Exploration prospects and expert caution
The gas eruption has sparked discussions regarding the geological potential of the Cox’s Bazar coast. However, experts stressed that gas emerging from a single tube-well hole does not confirm commercially viable reserves.
Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, pro-vice chancellor of Rangamati Science and Technology University and oceanographer, said the Bay of Bengal contains 28 gas blocks with significant exploration potential, and highlighted government focus on boosting Bapex’s capabilities.
He noted the need to investigate coastal exploration opportunities in Cox’s Bazar, while clarifying that any direct link between the Inani incident and marine gas blocks remains unconfirmed without thorough geological exploration, sample testing, and technical evaluation.
As of Wednesday evening, uncertainty looms over the next steps as Bapex experts await sample results and geological assessments to formulate a containment strategy.
Until then, over 3,800 families across the 15-kilometre coastal belt continue to endure power outages and heightened fire risks.
