A significant fire broke out at a cotton processing factory in Narayanganj’s Araihazar area on Tuesday morning (13 January), causing extensive damage to machinery, raw materials, and infrastructure. The incident occurred in Lalurkandi, under the jurisdiction of Araihazar Police Station, sending local residents into panic.
The factory, owned by local businessman Md. Samad — son of the late Rahman, a respected community member — reportedly suffered losses estimated at over BDT 10 lakh. According to the owner, the fire destroyed cotton, jute, and several industrial machines.
Eyewitnesses stated that smoke was first noticed rising from the factory in the early hours of the morning. Within minutes, flames engulfed the facility, consuming three cotton-processing machines, one motor, and a large portion of the building. The fire spread rapidly due to the proximity of stored raw materials such as cotton and jute.
Upon receiving news of the fire, the Araihazar Upazila Fire Service dispatched a team immediately to the scene. Police personnel from Araihazar Station and local residents also joined efforts to contain the blaze. After nearly an hour of strenuous work, firefighters brought the situation under control, preventing further spread to neighbouring properties.
Araihazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Alauddin suggested that an electrical short circuit might have triggered the fire. “Given the extensive damage to the machinery, it is difficult at this stage to accurately assess the total losses,” he remarked.
Fire Station In-Charge Robiul added that preliminary investigations indicate the fire likely originated from a short circuit. “The factory is situated next to a jute warehouse, which allowed the fire to spread quickly,” he explained. “The exact extent of the damage will be determined after a thorough investigation.”
Summary of Incident
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lalurkandi, Fatepur Union, Araihazar, Narayanganj |
| Date & Time | 13 January, Morning |
| Owner | Md. Samad (son of late Rahman) |
| Estimated Loss | Over BDT 10 lakh |
| Damaged Property | Cotton, jute, three machines, one motor, part of factory building |
| Cause (Preliminary) | Possible electrical short circuit |
| Response | Araihazar Fire Service, local police, residents |
| Fire Control Duration | Approximately 1 hour |
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause and full extent of the damages. No casualties have been reported, but the incident has raised concerns over safety measures in local industrial units.