Fire destroys 2000 shanties in Ukhiya Rohingya camps

A devastating fire destroyed around 2,000 shanties in three Rohingya camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar on Sunday afternoon.

Relief and refugee repatriation commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said the fire first broke out at Balukhali 11 No. camp around 3:15 pm and then engulfed adjacent 10 and 9 No. camps.

After around three hours of frantic efforts, nine firefighting units, law enforcers and volunteers brought the blaze under control.

A three-member investigation committee headed by Cox's Bazar additional district magistrate (ADM) Abu Sufian was formed over the incident. 

ADM Abu Sufian who visited the scene said the fire also left displaced about 15,000 dwellers of the camps.

Ukhiya fire station in-charge Emdadul Haque said they learned the fire originated from a gas stove but it is yet to be confirmed.

Sayeed Alamgir/SU