Massive Fire Rages Through Rohingya Camp; 500 Shelters Destroyed

A devastating fire broke out at a Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, in the early hours of Monday (January 19), leaving hundreds of families homeless.

The blaze reportedly started around 3:20 AM at a learning center operated by an NGO in the D-4 block of Shafiullah Kata Camp 16.

Driven by wind, the flames spread rapidly through the densely packed shelters. It took ten firefighting units from Ukhia and neighboring stations over four hours to bring the situation under control by 7:50 AM.

Extent of Damage
Dolan Acharyya, a senior official at the Cox's Bazar Fire Service Station, confirmed that approximately 500 shelters were reduced to ashes.

"Our teams worked tirelessly to contain the fire. Fortunately, despite the scale of the destruction, no casualties or fatalities have been reported so far," he stated.

According to local accounts, the fire originated at the learning center before jumping to adjacent residential sheds.

A Recurring Crisis
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of fires within the world’s largest refugee settlement. In late December of last year, a hospital in Camp 4 was destroyed by fire, and more than ten homes were damaged in the Kutupalong registered camp just a day prior.

Ongoing Relief Efforts
While the prompt action of the local administration and fire service prevented a larger tragedy, the total financial loss is still being assessed.

Authorities have assured that humanitarian assistance will be provided immediately to the displaced refugees who have lost their homes and belongings in the blaze.