Gas Pipeline Fire Erupts on Chattogram Road

A sudden gas pipeline rupture beneath a busy road in the Foy’s Lake area of Chattogram city triggered a dramatic fire on Sunday afternoon, sending panic through the surrounding neighbourhood and briefly disrupting traffic movement along Zakir Hossain Road.

The incident occurred around 1pm when gas began seeping rapidly from beneath the roadway. Within seconds, the leaking gas ignited, producing intense flames that shot up from the ground. The unexpected blaze drew immediate attention from pedestrians, motorists, and shopkeepers in the vicinity, many of whom rushed to a safer distance as the fire intensified.

Fire Service personnel from the Agrabad station were alerted through the national emergency helpline and quickly dispatched a team to the scene. Officials managed to bring the situation under control after a rapid response operation, preventing the fire from spreading further into adjacent areas or causing additional damage.

Senior Station Officer at the Agrabad Fire Service Station, Mohammad Zahirul Islam, confirmed that his team responded promptly after receiving the emergency call. He said the fire was contained following coordinated efforts on site, and no casualties were reported.

Eyewitnesses described moments of confusion and fear as the fire broke out. One local resident, Mohammad Saiful, said a nearby electrical pole appeared to malfunction just before the blaze started, with sparks reportedly falling towards the ground. Shortly afterwards, flames erupted from beneath the road surface, intensifying public alarm. However, officials have not confirmed any direct link between the electrical incident and the gas ignition.

Initial observations suggest that the fire originated from a damaged underground gas pipeline running through a drainage channel alongside the road. The rupture allowed gas to accumulate and subsequently ignite, although the precise cause of the pipe failure remains under investigation.

The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company has launched an inquiry into the incident. Its Managing Director, Md Tajuddin Dhali, said technical teams have been deployed to the site to assess the extent of the damage and determine how the pipeline was compromised. He added that efforts are underway to restore normal conditions in the affected area and ensure the safety of nearby infrastructure.

Authorities have urged caution in the surrounding locality as repair and inspection work continues. Traffic movement in the area remained slow for some time following the incident, as emergency crews secured the site and monitored residual gas leakage risks.