A devastating fire engulfed the No. 26 Rohingya camp in Muchoni, Teknaf, on Thursday night (January 16), claiming the life of a child and leaving two others missing, according to camp administration sources.
The blaze started around 11:00 PM in the G-2 block of the camp. Despite the combined efforts of four fire service units and camp residents, it took over an hour to bring the fire under control. By then, the flames had destroyed more than 100 shelters.
Md. Ayas, a leader at Camp 26, recounted, “We suddenly saw flames rising near the market at night, and within moments, the fire spread rapidly.”
Coordinated emergency response operations involving camp authorities, law enforcement, and volunteers are underway, while the exact extent of the damage is still unknown.
The Assistant Camp-in-Charge of Camp 26, Senior Assistant Secretary Mostak Ahmed, has primarily controlled the fire. “The child who perished was approximately 5–6 years old and was sleeping when the fire broke out. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire,” he added.
This incident follows a similar tragedy on December 24, when a fire ravaged the 1W Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, burning down over 600 shelters and claiming two lives, including a child.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report/Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
