The fire broke out at around 3am on Thursday, 6 November, and quickly spread through nearby commercial premises. The incident caused alarm among local residents as flames engulfed the businesses, many of which were built using wood and corrugated metal sheets.
Mukul Kumar Nath, station officer of Khagrachhari Fire Service, confirmed the incident.
According to eyewitnesses, fire service personnel were joined by local residents, members of the Bangladesh Army and police officers in efforts to bring the blaze under control. Their combined efforts continued for several hours as firefighters struggled to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Nath said the fire spread rapidly because the affected structures were primarily made of wood and corrugated metal sheets. The nature of the buildings allowed the flames to engulf the premises within a short period, making firefighting operations particularly challenging.
A shortage of water at the scene further complicated the operation, forcing firefighters to work under difficult conditions.
“It took firefighters approximately three hours to bring the fire under control,” Nath said, describing the difficulties faced by emergency personnel during the operation.
He added that although firefighters eventually managed to contain the blaze after prolonged efforts, the damage had already been extensive. Nine business establishments, including timber shops and furniture workshops, were destroyed. An auto-rickshaw was also reduced to ashes.
The incident is expected to have serious financial consequences for the affected business owners, many of whom may have lost their stock, equipment and business premises. Preliminary assessments indicate that the total losses could run into several crore taka, although the exact amount has yet to be established.
Fires involving closely situated commercial buildings can spread rapidly, particularly when the structures contain combustible materials such as timber and other flammable goods. Limited access to water can make such emergencies even more difficult to manage, increasing the risk of damage to neighbouring properties.
The incident in Kalabagan once again highlights the challenges faced by emergency responders when dealing with fires in areas where commercial structures are built close together and adequate firefighting resources may be difficult to access.
The immediate priority was to contain the flames and prevent further destruction. However, the precise cause of the fire and the final extent of the financial losses had not been established at the time of reporting.
