A warehouse storing paddy at Jahid Auto Rice Mill in the Khajanagar area of Sadar Upazila collapsed following a lightning strike and fire on Thursday afternoon, resulting in damage estimated at Tk3 crore.
According to local sources and eyewitnesses, lightning struck the paddy warehouse during rain in the afternoon. Immediately after a loud thunderclap, a fire broke out beneath the structure, causing its corrugated tin roof and brick walls to collapse completely.
Fire and rainwater destroyed all the paddy inside, while mill machinery, a motorcycle, and several thousand maunds of paddy were severely damaged, with overall losses reaching at least Tk3 crore.
Local residents rushed to the scene following the collapse, and no casualties were reported.
Eyewitness Biplob Hossain said the lightning struck during rain, soaking all the paddy inside the large warehouse, which contained approximately 8,000 to 9,000 sacks of paddy.
Hossain added that his motorcycle parked beneath the warehouse was crushed, and operations at the rice mill were suspended immediately following the occurrence.
The manager of Jahid Auto Rice Mill reported that the structure suddenly caught fire following the lightning hit before the tin roof and walls collapsed, incurring losses worth crores of taka.
The proprietor of the mill, Jahid, stated that he was away during the incident but confirmed that the collapse of his paddy warehouse destroyed paddy, machinery, and a motorcycle, causing Tk 3 crore in total losses.
When asked for comment, S Hassan, In-charge of the Jogoti Police Outpost, said he was informed of the incident through news reporters and would share details after inquiring into the matter.
Meanwhile, Kushtia Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Harun Or Rashid stated that he had recently learned of the occurrence and that necessary steps would be taken following an investigation.
