A devastating fire in Natore’s Gurudaspur Upazila has left a local community in mourning after a mother and her one-year-old daughter perished in the blaze. Another family member sustained severe injuries in the incident, which preliminary reports suggest may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.
The tragic event occurred in the early hours of Monday, 9 February, at approximately 3:40 a.m., in the Jhaupara Binabari area of Dharabarisha Union. The victims have been identified as Atiya (28), wife of local resident Atik Rantu, and their infant daughter, Roiza. Atik Rantu’s mother, Marzina Begum, remains hospitalised in critical condition with severe burn injuries.
Eyewitnesses and fire service officials described the extensive damage: four residential buildings belonging to the family and an adjacent small grocery shop were completely destroyed. The fire also claimed the lives of twelve goats, a critical source of livelihood for the household. Early estimates by local residents put the financial loss at approximately BDT 1–1.2 million.
Gurudaspur Fire Service Station Officer Ataur Rahman said, “We received the fire alert at 4:45 a.m. and immediately dispatched our team to the scene. Despite rapid action, we were unable to save the mother and child.” He added that preliminary investigations indicate an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire.
A summary of the estimated losses is as follows:
| Damaged Property / Assets | Quantity | Estimated Loss (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential buildings | 4 | 500,000–600,000 |
| Grocery shop | 1 | 300,000–400,000 |
| Goats | 12 | ~50,000 |
| Total | – | 1,000,000–1,200,000 |
Local residents played a crucial role in rescuing the injured and helping contain the fire before it spread further. Community members have stressed the importance of regular inspection and maintenance of electrical appliances to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The incident has left a deep imprint on the local society. Authorities are providing emergency assistance to the affected family, while a full investigation into the fire’s cause is underway. Officials are also reviewing safety protocols in rural housing to prevent similar disasters.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of fire safety awareness and preventive measures in rural communities, highlighting the vulnerabilities in household electrical systems and the need for robust emergency preparedness.