A massive fire swept through Rohingya Camp No. 16 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, in the early hours of January 20, destroying more than 450 shelters along with schools, mosques, and other community facilities.

The blaze broke out at around 3:45am in the D-4 block of the camp, located in the Shafiullah Kara area of Palongkhali Union, and spread rapidly due to the densely packed shelters and nighttime conditions.

According to preliminary findings, a camp resident identified as Mohammad Anis had reportedly heated water on a gas stove at around 2:45am before falling asleep. The stove remained lit after the water dried up, triggering the fire, which quickly spread to nearby shelters.

As the incident occurred while most residents were asleep, panic spread throughout the camp, forcing hundreds of refugees to flee their shelters in search of safety.

Firefighters from the Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence, supported by Rohingya volunteers and law enforcement agencies, rushed to the scene. Firefighting operations began shortly after the blaze was reported, and the fire was brought under control at around 5:30am after nearly three to three-and-a-half hours of effort.

Dollar Tripura, Station Officer of the Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the incident, stating that eight fire service units responded to the fire.

“The fire destroyed approximately 400 to 450 shelters before it was fully controlled,” he said, adding that the prompt response of firefighters and volunteers helped prevent further spread.

Mohammad Riaz, a community leader from the D block of Camp No. 16, said the damage was extensive.

“A total of 448 shelters, two mosques, ten schools, and one madrasa were completely destroyed,” he said, noting that the total financial loss could not be immediately assessed.

The incident was also confirmed by Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rifat Asma, who said an official assessment of the damage is currently underway.

In a statement, IOM Bangladesh said nearly 500 shelters and camp-based facilities were damaged in the fire.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Bangladesh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the fire destroyed over 480 shelters and 11 UNICEF-supported learning facilities.

“A fire swept through Rohingya Camp 16 this morning, destroying homes and classrooms in minutes,” the statement said.

“For Rohingya children who have already lost so much, this is yet another cruel blow,” the statement more added.

UNICEF added that it and its partners are assessing the damage and are committed to providing urgent assistance to affected families.

The latest incident comes amid a series of recent fires in the camps. On December 26, a major blaze at Camp No. 4 destroyed a hospital, while another fire on the night of December 25 damaged more than ten houses at the Kutupalong registered Rohingya camp.

 

 

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