Two Buses Torched at Noakhali Sonapur BRTC Depot Late at Night

In Sonapur, Noakhali, two passenger buses stationed at the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) depot were completely destroyed in a fire during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Local residents reported seeing flames erupting at approximately 2:30 am and immediately alerted the fire service.

Two units from the Maijdi Fire Station responded swiftly, bringing the blaze under control within ten minutes. According to officials, the foam material inside the buses contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The two vehicles, named Gulbahar and Malti, which operate on the route serving Noakhali University of Science and Technology, were entirely destroyed. A third bus suffered partial damage.

Md. Arifur Rahman Tushar, manager of the BRTC Sonapur Depot, arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was extinguished and suggested that the incident may have been a deliberate act of sabotage. “My transfer was scheduled for today, and the incoming officer appeared reluctant to assume responsibility. I suspect this fire was orchestrated to prevent the transfer,” he said. “The operation was carried out professionally, not as an act of ordinary mischief.”

Tushar emphasised that local colleagues and residents have consistently cooperated with depot management. “Even during periods of political unrest, we faced no such issues. This points to a planned and calculated act rather than spontaneous vandalism,” he added.

Md. Farid Ahmed, Assistant Director of the Noakhali Fire Service, confirmed that the alert was received at 2:40 am and that responders managed to contain the fire rapidly. He noted, “Two buses were fully destroyed, and one sustained partial damage. The exact cause of the fire will only be determined following a thorough investigation.”

Officer-in-Charge Md. Kamrul Islam of Sudharam Police Station confirmed that law enforcement inspected the depot and maintained a presence throughout the morning as part of the ongoing investigation.

Summary of Incident

The incident has raised concerns about security measures at transport depots and highlighted the potential for deliberate sabotage, prompting authorities to initiate a detailed inquiry.