At least 33 residential houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at Jhele Para in Ali Akbar Deil Union under Kutubdia Upazila of Cox’s Bazar on early Friday.
The fire started around 2am and was brought under control at 5am after nearly three hours of efforts by two Fire Service units and local residents. The affected families lost their homes, cash and essential documents.
Local resident Babul said the fire originated at the house of Didar Jaldas before spreading rapidly to neighbouring houses.
Sohel Ahmed, an official at the Kutubdia Fire Service Station, said two firefighting units were informed of the fire at around 2am and reached the scene at 2:32am. The fire destroyed 33 houses, and a kitchen stove is initially suspected to have caused the blaze.
Pabiran Das’s family was among those affected by the fire. His wife, Nayan Das, said the blaze destroyed Tk1 lakh borrowed for her gallbladder surgery, her husband’s original degree certificate and all their other belongings.
Akhtar Kamal Sikdar, acting chairman of Ali Akbar Deil Union Parishad, visited the site and said the fire spread quickly because the houses stood in a row in a densely populated area. He added that steps were being taken to provide emergency relief and assistance to the victims.
The victims include Didar Das, Chandra Sen, Imalund, Singhajaldas, Premdas, Bikal Das, Madhu Rani, Sohan Das, Sakal Das, Murali Das, Murpi Das, Jesus Das, Sarip Das, Roni Das, Dhalu, Sidham, Rubel, Meghdas, Diparani, Rupal Das, Sabuj Das, Pabiran Das, Buishya, Ajit, Shunu Das, Kalaguchu, Babul Das, Munnabaran, Tutton Das, Orasen, Ruban Das, Sudhangshu and Bhavati.
Earlier, on 17 October, a similar fire occurred in Ward No 1 of Kaiyarbil Union in the same upazila.
