A catastrophic fire erupted late on Friday night at Ma-Babar Doya Agro Farm in the Goalini Gate area of Bhatiari Union, Sitakunda, Chittagong, claiming the lives of 23 animals and wreaking havoc on nearby properties. The fire began around 12:15 a.m. and rapidly engulfed the farm, reducing ten cows and thirteen goats to ashes, while also completely destroying five adjoining shops.
Habibur Rahman, the farm owner, reported that the farm housed eleven cows and thirteen goats. “We managed to rescue only one cow; the rest of the animals could not be saved. The fire reportedly started at a neighbouring grocery shop, and despite local efforts to control it, the blaze spread swiftly. The fire service arrived nearly two hours after we called,” he said.
Officer Ahshan Habib of the Kumira Fire Service Station confirmed that the incident was reported through the national emergency hotline 999. “The fire site is around sixteen kilometres from our station, which caused a delay in response. Our initial assessment indicates an electrical short circuit as the probable cause. While some locals suggested a gas cylinder might have triggered the fire, no such cylinder was found at the scene,” he added.
Losses from the Sitakunda Fire
| Loss Type | Quantity | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Cows | 10 | 1 cow survived out of 11 |
| Goats | 13 | All perished |
| Shops | 5 | Complete destruction |
| Probable Cause | Electrical short circuit | No gas cylinder present |
Local residents rushed to assist when the fire broke out. Their quick intervention, combined with the fire service’s efforts upon arrival, eventually brought the inferno under control.
Habibur Rahman expressed the severe financial strain caused by the incident: “The loss is a significant economic setback. We hope the government and local administration will implement stronger preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.”
Preliminary investigations by local authorities suggest that an electrical fault triggered the blaze. However, a final report following an official inquiry will confirm the exact cause.
The fire has raised alarm among the local livestock and business community. Observers noted that the rapid spread of the fire and the extensive damage underscore not only the risks posed by accidents but also gaps in fire safety measures and emergency response. Residents are calling for improved fire safety infrastructure and quicker, more efficient fire service intervention to prevent similar tragedies.