Panel formed to probe Sajek Valley fire
The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven working days
The local administration formed a committee to investigate the massive fire that engulfed nearly 100 resorts, restaurants and houses in Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination in Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila, today (25 February).
The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven working days, said Shirin Akter, Baghaichhari upazila nirbahi officer.
Habib Ullah, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said over 90-95 resorts, shops, cottages and dwelling houses were gutted down during the massive fire that broke out at Sajek Valley around 1:00pm yesterday.
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UNO Shirin said it took a long time to bring the fire under control due to the lack of fire station and water.
At first, army, BGB and local people engaged to bring the blaze under control and the only one firefighting unit from Khagrachhari's Dighinala reached the spot two hours after the fire broke out, which caused massive damages, she said.
Later, two more firefighting units joined them and managed to bring the fire under control by Monday evening, she added.
The UNO mentioned that the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but assessments are underway. The committee report will be sent to the ministry concerned, and necessary steps will be taken later, she said.
No casualty was reported in the fire, said DC Habib.
The local administration also took steps to spray water through helicopters.
Sajek Valley, one of the tourist attractions in the hills, has now become a pile of rubbles.
As daylight fades, the horrifying scars of the devastating fire emerge. Resorts, cottages, shops, homes and many other structures have been destroyed by the flames.
Just two days ago, Sajek was a lively tourist hub, but now it lies in ruins. The smell of burnt debris fills the air and there is no trace of the former joy.
The businessmen who lost everything are now paupers and left exposed to the open sky.
Hotel and motel owners have estimated the losses to be over Tk 80 crore and they are seeking government assistance.
Naimul Islam, the owner of Shatranji Resort, said, "The resort was scheduled to open on February 28. But with today's fire, all my dreams have been shattered. I've suffered a loss of around 60 lakh taka."
Joynal Abedin, the owner of Megher Ghor Resort, said, "Everything I had is gone. In the afternoon, I saw the fire near Obokash Resort, which spread quickly and two resorts and a restaurant were instantly gutted down. Then one resort after another caught fire. We have lost everything."
Earlier, in the day, the local administration had discouraged tourists from visiting the fire-ravaged Sajek Valley for safety reasons, and lifter it later in the day.
UNO Shirin said the decision had been taken temporarily to ensure tourists' safety following the devastating fire.
