A fire in a paddy-laden truck at Zahura Industries in Bochaganj Upazila, Dinajpur, caused significant injuries to the vehicle’s driver and assistant in the early hours of 16 December. Authorities have identified faulty wiring as the likely cause of the fire, which broke out in the truck cabin and quickly escalated into a serious emergency.
The fire was reported to the Sitabganj Fire Service around 5:00 a.m., prompting an immediate deployment of personnel. Firefighters arrived promptly at the mill’s premises and discovered that a 10-wheel truck, transporting paddy from Singra in Natore, had been engulfed in flames adjacent to Mill Number 10. Through coordinated efforts, the team brought the fire under control, averting what could have been a larger industrial disaster.
Emergency medical care was administered at Bochaganj Upazila Health Complex before both the driver, Md. Mizanur Rahman, and his assistant, Abu Said, were transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. Medical professionals reported that Mizanur Rahman’s injuries were moderate and he was stable, whereas Abu Said’s condition was serious, requiring intensive treatment.
Abdul Hannan, the proprietor of Zahura Industries, described the harrowing moment when he was contacted by the fire service during the Fajr prayers. “As soon as I received the news, I immediately focused on arranging medical care for the injured and informing their families,” he stated. Foreman Bishwajit also provided an account of the incident, noting that he was asleep around 3:30 a.m. when a mill helper alerted him at 5:15 a.m. about the blaze.
Sitabganj Fire Service Station Officer-in-Charge, Md. Anwar Hossain, explained that the alert reached their team via a triple-line system at 5:34 a.m. He added that rapid deployment and coordination prevented further damage, though the assistant’s critical condition remained a pressing concern. Witnesses confirmed that the fire had originated from the truck’s cabin wiring, drawing attention to potential electrical hazards in industrial transport vehicles.
Following the incident, local observers have called for stricter fire safety regulations, including routine electrical inspections, enhanced emergency preparedness, and improved staff training within mills and industrial facilities handling combustible materials. The event has been described as a stark reminder of the potential dangers inherent in industrial operations.