Deadly fire in Raozan destroys homes, kills 7 cattle prepared for Eid sale
According to local residents, the fire started suddenly in one house at night and quickly spread to neighbouring homes
Seven cattle being prepared for sale ahead of Eid-ul-Adha were burnt to death in a devastating fire in Raozan upazila of Chattogram, leaving four families in distress.
The fire broke out early today (13 May) in Mongolkhali village under Raozan Sadar union.
The animals had been prepared for sale ahead of the Eid market, and their loss has dealt a severe financial blow to the affected families. Initial estimates put the damage at around Tk 12 lakh, said fire service officials of the area.
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According to local residents, the fire started suddenly in one house at night and quickly spread to neighbouring homes.
Locals attempted to bring the flames under control, but by then the cattle sheds and residential houses had already been engulfed. Two of the dead cattle were pregnant cows.
Fire Service personnel later arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire around 3am after nearly one and a half hours of effort.
One of the victims, Abul Kalam, said, "I had prepared seven cattle for Eid al-Adha. All of them were burnt to death in the fire. The cash, clothes and everything inside the house have been destroyed. We have nothing left except the clothes we were wearing."
Eyewitness Jasim Uddin said, "After hearing screams, I came out of the house and saw flames spreading everywhere. The government should stand beside the affected families."
Officials from Raozan Fire Service said, "Preliminary estimates suggest losses of around Tk 12 lakhs. The fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit."
