A residential house was completely reduced to ashes in a devastating fire in the remote hill district of Bandarban, southern Bangladesh, with losses estimated at around four million taka. The affected family has alleged that the blaze was not accidental but the result of a deliberate act of arson, possibly driven by longstanding hostility.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday night, 7 January, at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the Middle Baishari area of Naikhongchhari upazila. According to local residents, the fire broke out suddenly while all members of the household were asleep, rapidly engulfing the entire structure within minutes.
The house belonged to Maulvi Kabir Uddin, who had earlier arranged marriages for his three sons. Although the sons were considered to be living separately, all four families — including the parents — resided under the same tin-roofed structure, maintaining individual living arrangements within the shared home. On the night of the incident, the families had followed their usual routine, retiring to bed after dinner, unaware of the impending disaster.
Family members, including women and children, narrowly escaped with their lives after being awakened by the flames and intense heat. However, they were unable to salvage any belongings. Cash savings, gold jewellery, household furniture, clothing, and other valuable possessions were all destroyed by the fire, leaving the families virtually destitute overnight.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing repeated “popping” or “explosive” sounds during the blaze, which they said were inconsistent with a typical fire caused by electrical faults or cooking accidents. These unusual sounds have heightened suspicion among local residents, reinforcing the family’s claim that flammable substances or even gunpowder may have been used to ignite the fire intentionally.
Neighbours rushed to the scene upon hearing screams and attempted to control the flames using water and soil, but their efforts proved futile. A unit from the Fire Service and Civil Defence later arrived and brought the fire under control, by which time the house had already been completely destroyed.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Baishari Police Investigation Centre, Inspector Anwarul Islam, stated that police responded promptly after receiving the report and assisted in fire control efforts. He confirmed that the matter is being investigated thoroughly, with particular attention to the possibility of deliberate arson.
Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Mazharul Islam Chowdhury also visited the area and assured that a formal investigation is under way. He emphasised that appropriate legal action would be taken once the exact cause of the fire is determined.
A preliminary assessment of the losses is outlined below:
| Category of Loss | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| Residential structure | Completely destroyed |
| Furniture and appliances | Fully burned |
| Gold jewellery and cash | Entirely lost |
| Clothing and documents | Destroyed |
| Total estimated loss | Approximately 4 million taka |
The incident has sparked widespread concern among local residents, who are demanding a swift and transparent investigation. Many fear that if deliberate acts of violence such as this go unpunished, the safety of families in the area will remain at serious risk.