24 houses gutted in Pabna
An elderly woman laments as she lost her everything in the fire that burnt 24 huts to ashes at Bonkola village in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna yesterday.Photo: STAR
A devastating fire gutted at least 24 huts belonging to poor people including day labourers at Bonkola village of Sujanagar upazila under the district yesterday morning. The fire originated from a wood-burning stove of Batashi Khatun of the village at about 10:30am spread very quickly due to strong wind and destroyed the 24 houses, said locals and fire fighters. “I do not have anything for my poor family as the fire destroyed my house. I do not know how I will exist now,” said a lamenting Batashi Khatun. The villagers tried to douse the fire but 24 houses were gutted as the fire fighters came very late, said Md Alhaz, another victim. When contacted, Md Anwarul Islam, the officer in charge of Pabna fire station, said the delay in reaching the spot was due to long distance and miserable condition of the road. The damage would be worth about Tk 10 lakh, he said. The victims, on the other hand, said the losses would be worth Tk 20 lakh. Sujanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer HM Nurul Islam visited the spot in the afternoon and distributed blankets among the victims. “We have also reported the incident to the higher authority for more relief,” he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments