A fire fueled by underground gas discovered during the installation of a deep tube well in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, may continue burning for at least another seven days, according to preliminary assessments by a team of experts from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX).
Experts have warned that attempting to extinguish the fire by force could trigger a major accident or cause the flames to spread to other locations due to the high gas pressure. Instead, authorities plan to control the fire by reducing the gas flow and pressure.
The fire broke out around 5:30 am on Tuesday, October 27, while a deep tube well was being installed beside the courtyard of Mostafa Sikder’s house in Inani. According to local sources, drilling had been underway for three days. When the excavation reached a depth of approximately 1,000 feet, gas began escaping from underground at high pressure, followed by flames. The fire has continued burning since then.
After receiving the news, local Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury and Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter visited the scene and instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures.
Four units of the Fire Service, an Army firefighting team and police jointly attempted to control the blaze. However, repeated efforts using water, sand and other methods failed to extinguish it, while the intensity of the fire continued to increase. The Army firefighting team arrived at around 2:30 pm on Tuesday and continued operations. After nearly 12 hours of unsuccessful efforts, people living near the site were evacuated.
In response to the situation, the upazila administration arranged for a two-member expert team from BAPEX to travel from Dhaka. The team arrived at the site on Tuesday night and inspected the area under the leadership of SM Nafifun Arham, BAPEX Manager (Geology) and head of the geological survey team.
According to the experts’ preliminary assessment, the high pressure and intensity of the escaping gas make direct firefighting attempts too dangerous at this stage. Such efforts could cause a major accident or spread the fire elsewhere. The experts therefore recommended a strategy focused on reducing the gas flow and pressure before bringing the fire under control.
The team leader also noted that prompt action by the local administration and effective emergency measures had helped avert a major disaster.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdul Mannan said preliminary assessments indicated the possible presence of natural gas in the area. The site was placed under a security cordon under the supervision of UNO Panna Akter, and BAPEX was notified. The two-member expert team inspected the location on Tuesday night.
UNO Panna Akter said the administration was following the recommendations of the BAPEX experts to address the situation. She remained at the scene from Tuesday morning until late at night and returned on Wednesday, October 28, to help prevent a major accident. She added that the administration was maintaining continuous communication with the district authorities and other relevant agencies to take necessary measures in the public interest. The BAPEX team will continue providing technical advice and conducting examinations related to controlling the fire.
For safety reasons, the upazila administration has instructed members of the public to remain at least 200 metres away from the site. Police and other law enforcement personnel have been using loudspeakers to move people to a safe distance. However, authorities are struggling to manage the large crowds gathering near the scene.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Atikur Rahman Majumdar said police rushed to the location after receiving reports of the gas fire. Police officers are working alongside the upazila administration, Fire Service and Army to manage the situation.
Saidul Islam, station officer of the Ukhiya Fire Service Station, said four firefighting units began operations after receiving reports of the blaze during deep tube well installation. After attempts using water, sand and other methods failed by the afternoon, the matter was reported to senior authorities. Firefighting efforts were subsequently suspended on their instructions.
Dolon Acharya, senior station officer of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire could not be brought under control despite nearly 12 hours of efforts. Nearby residents were therefore evacuated, while a Fire Service team remained at the scene to monitor the situation.
Shamsul Alam, a member of Ward No. 6 of Jaliapalong Union Parishad, said the intensity of the fire appeared to be increasing over time. He noted that there were no underground gas pipelines in the area and expressed his belief that the gas was natural. The continuing fire has sparked fear among local residents.
Meanwhile, electricity supply has been suspended due to concerns that the flames could spread to power lines. As a result, approximately 8,000 families across an area stretching about 15 kilometres from Inani to Mankhali have been left without electricity.
Kaizar Nur, deputy general manager (DGM) of Ukhiya Palli Bidyut, said electricity supply along approximately 15 kilometres of the 33-kilovolt line from Inani to Mankhali had been temporarily suspended. The decision was taken over fears that the fire from the escaping underground gas could reach electrical wires and spread further.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sayeed Mohammed Anwar, Special Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
