Persistent Blaze Engulfs Matarbari Power Plant Storage Yard

A significant fire has broken out at the Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, a key national infrastructure site in Maheshkhali. The blaze, which began at approximately 8:00 PM on Monday, 12 January 2026, has proven difficult to contain, with emergency responders struggling to bring the situation under control even after four hours of continuous operations.

Emergency Response and Containment Efforts

The fire originated within the facility's scrap yard, an area designated for the storage of various discarded materials. Initially, the power plant’s two internal fire-fighting units were deployed to tackle the flames. However, as the intensity of the fire increased, reinforcements were summoned from neighbouring sub-districts.

According to Salahuddin Kader, the station leader of the Maheshkhali Fire Service, his team arrived on-site at 9:50 PM. They were subsequently joined by two additional units from Chakaria. Currently, a total of six firefighting units are battling the inferno, yet the perimeter remains uncontained.

Factors Hampering the Operation

The primary obstacle facing the fire crews is the sheer volume and nature of the combustible materials stored within the yard. The area is reportedly filled with large stockpiles of:

Industrial Cotton: Highly flammable and prone to rapid spread.

Dry Timber: Providing a steady source of fuel for the blaze.

Plastic Waste: Resulting in thick, toxic smoke that reduces visibility for responders.

Station Leader Kader noted that the density of these "scrap piles" has made it nearly impossible to reach the seat of the fire effectively, leading to a prolonged and arduous operation.

Table: Matarbari Power Plant Fire Incident Profile

Suspicions of Sabotage or Negligence

While an official investigation is pending, preliminary assessments suggest a possible human element behind the incident. Fire service officials mentioned that the plant authorities have raised concerns regarding the "unauthorised presence of street children" within the scrap yard premises, hypothesising that a small fire lit by intruders may have spiralled out of control.

Imran Mahmud Dalim, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Maheshkhali, confirmed the severity of the fire but maintained a cautious stance. "The fire is confirmed within the internal scrap yard of the power plant," he stated. "However, the definitive cause of the ignition remains under investigation."

As the fire continues to burn into the late hours, concerns are mounting regarding potential damage to adjacent power generation infrastructure, though authorities currently report that the main plant remains unaffected.