Six Classrooms Gutted in Ramgarh Blaze

A devastating fire has destroyed six rooms at Kalabari High School in Patachhara Union under Ramgarh upazila of Khagrachhari district, causing extensive damage to the institution’s infrastructure, furniture and official records. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, leaving the recently established rural school in a state of disruption and uncertainty.

According to local accounts, smoke and flames were first noticed emerging from one of the school’s rooms around 7:30 pm. Within moments, the fire spread rapidly to adjacent rooms, engulfing the building. Residents of the area initially attempted to bring the blaze under control using available means, but the intensity of the fire quickly overwhelmed their efforts.

Two units of the Ramgarh Fire Service and Civil Defence were subsequently deployed to the scene. Firefighters battled the flames for approximately one hour before bringing the situation under control. By that time, six rooms had been severely damaged, with much of their contents reduced to ashes.

School authorities confirmed that the damage includes the headmaster’s office, several classrooms, furniture, educational materials, and important administrative documents. The destruction of academic records, textbooks and examination materials is expected to significantly disrupt normal school operations and administrative continuity.

The headmaster of the school, Abdul Kader (as reported in local media), stated that the loss is extensive and will have a serious impact on teaching activities. He added that the destruction of official documents and learning materials would pose immediate challenges in resuming regular classes.

Fire service official Biswaanta Barua (as reported in local media) noted that the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, initial assessments suggest that it may have originated from an electrical fault or short circuit. A detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the precise cause and evaluate the full extent of the damage.

Ramgarh Upazila Executive Officer and school management committee president, Kazi Shamin (as reported in local media), confirmed that necessary steps are being taken to ensure that students’ education is not severely disrupted. He further stated that a formal inquiry committee will be formed to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures.

Established in 2022 with local administrative support, Kalabari High School was created to serve students in this remote area, quickly becoming an important educational institution for the community. However, the recent fire has raised serious concerns about the continuity of its academic activities.

Preliminary Damage Assessment

Local residents have urged swift reconstruction of the damaged facilities and the immediate arrangement of alternative learning spaces to prevent disruption to students’ education. In the aftermath of the fire, a sense of concern and anxiety continues to prevail in the area.