A fire ignited by subsurface gas escaping during deep tubewell installation in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, remains uncontrolled after 14 hours. The outbreak occurred Tuesday (October 27) around 5:30 AM. Four fire service units alongside an army fire team are working to control the blaze.
Local sources reported that excavation work for a deep tubewell had been underway at the residence for the past three days. As drilling reached nearly 1,000 feet deep on Tuesday around 5:30 AM, gas began escaping violently from the underground, instantly catching fire. Flames have raged since.
Upon receiving news, four fire service units rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire. However, continuous underground gas leakage has hindered control efforts, failing to douse flames with water sprays. Later, past 2:30 PM on Tuesday, an army fire team arrived on site to assist firefighting operations.
Meanwhile, police and law enforcement personnel used loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate to safe distances to prevent potential accidents, though managing massive crowds gathering at the site proved challenging.
Local MP Shahjahan Chowdhury and UNO Panna Aktar inspected the scene.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Aktar stated that to tackle the situation, a specialist team from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex) arrived from Dhaka in the evening.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Atiqur Rahman Majumder stated, "Upon receiving news of escaping gas fueling a fire, police rushed to the scene. Alongside fire service and army personnel, police officers are working to control the situation."
Ukhiya Fire Service Station Officer Saiful Islam noted that fire service members are attempting to tame the blaze alongside arriving army fire team units.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Special Correspondent, Cox's Bazar • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
