Fire at Sitakunda Farm Claims 23 Livestock

A devastating fire broke out late on Friday night at a farm in the Goalini Gate area of Bhatiari Union, Sitakunda, in the Chittagong district, resulting in the deaths of 23 animals. The blaze, which began around 12:15 a.m., consumed ten cows and thirteen goats, and rapidly spread to destroy five neighbouring shops.

The farm, named “Ma-Babar Doya Agro Farm”, was home to eleven cows and thirteen goats. Owner Habibur Rahman stated that while one cow was rescued, the remainder of the livestock succumbed to the flames. He recounted, “The fire is believed to have started at a nearby grocery shop. Locals attempted to control it, but it spread quickly. Even after informing the fire service, they arrived nearly two hours later.”

Ahshan Habib, an officer at the Kumira Fire Service Station, confirmed that the fire service received notification through the national emergency number 999. “The farm is approximately sixteen kilometres from our station, which caused some delay in reaching the site. Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire. Although some local witnesses claimed the fire started from a gas cylinder, no cylinders were found at the scene,” he explained.

Summary of Losses from the Fire

Locals reported rushing to the site to assist in controlling the fire. Their efforts, combined with the fire service’s eventual intervention, ultimately brought the blaze under control.

Habibur Rahman expressed the financial impact, saying, “This loss is a significant economic burden for us. We hope the government and local authorities will take effective measures to prevent such disasters in the future.”

Preliminary investigations by local authorities and the fire service point towards an electrical fault as the likely cause. The final determination will follow a thorough official inquiry.

The incident has sparked concern among local livestock farmers and traders. Observers note that the rapid spread of the fire and the extensive destruction highlight not only the risk of accidental fire but also potential gaps in local safety infrastructure. Many residents are calling for faster and more effective fire service response capabilities to mitigate future tragedies.