Fire guts 3 resorts on St Martin's Island
Tourists and joint forces worked for two and a half hours to bring the fire under control at around 4:30am
Highlights
- The fire destroyed 26 rooms across three resorts
- No casualties were reported
- Strong winds spread the fire from Shayari Eco Resort to Beach Valley and Kingshuk Eco Resorts
A devastating fire broke out on St Martin's Island in the early hours of Wednesday (15 January), destroying three resorts.
No casualties have been reported so far.
The blaze started at around 2:30am in the Galachipa area of the western beach, St Martin Union Chairman Mujibur Rahman told the media.
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"The fire started in the reception room of Shayari Eco Resort, soon the blaze spread to neighboring resorts, destroying 18 rooms at Beach Valley, 7 rooms at Kingshuk Eco Resort, and the reception room of Shayari Eco Resort, totalling 26 rooms reduced to ashes," he said.
"Tourists and joint forces worked for two and a half hours to bring the fire under control at around 4:30am," he added.
Abdul Malek, a local resident and tourism entrepreneur, said, "The fire started at Shayari Eco Resort, reportedly caused by a short circuit in a multi-plug in the reception room, and quickly spread to Beach Valley Eco Resort due to strong winds and then to Kingshuk Eco Resort."
Mamunur Rashid, an owner of the Kingshuk Eco Resort, said the Shayari Eco Resort was partially burnt. Because of the strong southern wind, the fire rapidly spread to the nearby Beach Valley Eco Resort and burned it to the ground while 50% of the Kingshuk Eco Resort was destroyed by the fire.
"The fire was brought under control around 4am through the combined efforts of St Martin's local residents, visiting tourists, and law enforcement personnel," he added.
Sarwar Alam, another owner of Kingshuk Eco Resort, expressed his grief, saying, "I came to St Martin's after a long time with my wife and children. In front of my young kids, my dream venture burned to ashes. Everything I built has vanished in moments."
A couple from Dhaka visiting the Beach Valley Eco Resort, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "Most tourists were outside the resort when the fire broke out, preventing casualties. However, most of their belongings were burned, and they spent a sleepless night."
Jahangir Alam, general secretary of the Service Trawler Owners' Association, mentioned that upon receiving the news, locals, along with members of the Coast Guard, Navy, Tourist Police, and BGB, worked together to control the fire.
