A devastating fire destroyed 11 homes at Ashahak Bepari Bari near Basabari Bazar in Sonapur Union of Raipur upazila, Lakshmipur, early on Sunday (6 September), leaving several families facing the loss of their homes and belongings.
The fire broke out at around 4.30am and is believed to have originated in the home of a local resident, identified as 40-year-old Mohammad Sohel. According to local residents, Sohel allegedly poured petrol inside his own house and set it alight. The flames then spread rapidly to neighbouring tin-roofed homes, giving residents little time to respond.
Furniture, clothing, cash, food supplies and other essential household possessions were destroyed in the blaze. For many of the affected families, the fire consumed virtually everything they owned within a matter of minutes.
One of the affected residents, Siddiq Ullah, a farmer, said his entire house had been reduced to ashes. He said the fire spread so quickly that his family could not remove even basic necessities from the house.
“We could not save a single handful of rice or even a piece of clothing,” he said, describing the destruction as the loss of his family’s entire livelihood and household possessions.
Another resident, Ahsan Ullah, said his family escaped with only the clothes they were wearing. Cash, furniture, clothes and other belongings stored inside the house were all destroyed.
“We watched our last remaining possessions burn before our eyes. Now we do not know where we will stay or how we will rebuild our home,” he said.
After receiving information about the fire, two units from the Raipur Fire Service and one unit from Lakshmipur rushed to the scene. Firefighters worked for nearly an hour before bringing the blaze under control in the morning. The close proximity of the houses and the use of tin structures contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
The incident has also raised concern about the vulnerability of densely clustered residential areas to fires, particularly during the early hours of the morning when most residents are asleep. In such circumstances, a fire can spread from one structure to another before occupants have enough time to remove valuables or seek assistance.
Sonapur Union Parishad Chairman B M Shahjajal Kismat said Sohel was a regular drug user and alleged that he set fire to his own house while under the influence of drugs. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the motive behind the alleged act will be determined through the investigation.
Raipur Fire Service acting station officer Syed Ahmed said the affected structures were made primarily of tin. He estimated the initial financial loss at around Tk50 million, although the final extent of the damage would require further assessment.
Raipur police station officer-in-charge Nizam Uddin Bhuiyan said 11 houses had been destroyed. Local residents reportedly assaulted Sohel after the incident before rescuing him and taking him to Raipur Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Police said necessary legal action would be taken in connection with the incident.
The fire has left the affected families facing an immediate need for shelter, food, clothing and other essentials. With homes and household possessions destroyed overnight, their recovery is likely to depend on emergency assistance as well as longer-term support to rebuild their residences and restore their livelihoods.
