A devastating fire has severely damaged a secondary school in Ramgarh upazila of Khagrachhari district, destroying six classrooms and significant educational materials. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Kolabari High School in Patachhara Union, raising concerns over the continuity of academic activities for students in the remote area.
According to local residents, the fire is believed to have originated around 7:30 pm from a classroom within the school premises. The flames spread rapidly to adjoining rooms within minutes, fuelled by furniture and stored documents. As the fire intensified, panic spread across the locality, prompting immediate attempts by villagers to contain the blaze before emergency services arrived.
Two units of the Ramgarh Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene shortly after being alerted. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly an hour before successfully bringing the situation under control. By then, a significant portion of the school building had already been reduced to ashes.
The head teacher of the institution, Abdul Kader, confirmed the extent of the damage, stating that the headmaster’s office, several classrooms, and essential academic resources had been destroyed. Important records, computers, desks, benches, and other teaching materials were also lost in the fire, dealing a major setback to the school’s operations.
Fire service officials noted that the exact cause of the blaze remains undetermined. A formal investigation has been initiated to establish how the fire began and to assess the full scale of the damage. Authorities have emphasised that a detailed report will be prepared following inspection of the site.
The Upazila Executive Officer and chairman of the school management committee, Kazi Shamin, expressed concern over the incident. He confirmed that although the fire has been extinguished, the institution has suffered extensive losses. He further stated that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause and recommend preventive measures for the future.
Established in 2022 through a local administrative initiative, Kolabari High School serves students from a relatively remote and underdeveloped area. The fire has now placed its continued academic operations at risk, with fears that regular classes may be significantly disrupted unless urgent remedial steps are taken.
Summary of Damage
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Institution | Kolabari High School |
| Location | Patachhara Union, Ramgarh, Khagrachhari |
| Time of Incident | Saturday evening (around 7:30 pm) |
| Affected Structures | Headmaster’s office and five additional classrooms |
| Destroyed Items | Furniture, computers, academic documents, teaching materials |
| Fire Response | Two units of Fire Service and Civil Defence |
| Fire Duration | Approximately one hour |
| Current Status | Fire extinguished; investigation ongoing |
The incident has underscored the vulnerability of educational infrastructure in remote regions, where fire safety preparedness and emergency response resources remain limited.
