At least 250 fire incidents were reported in Cumilla district during the first three months of the current year, with the majority caused by electrical faults, according to Fire Service officials.
Sources from Cumilla Fire Service and Civil Defence said there were 79 fire incidents in January, 65 in February, and 94 in March. Data from 13 fire stations across the district recorded a total of 238 incidents, causing an estimated loss of over Tk 7 crore 30 lakh 23 thousand.
Among the 238 incidents, 107 were caused by electrical faults. In addition, 24 fires originated from cigarette or bidi remnants, 35 from cooking stoves, 11 from gas cylinders, 7 from gas line leakages, and 9 from mosquito coils. Other causes included deliberate arson, scattered hot ashes, and general negligence.
Statistics show that around 44% of the fires were linked to electrical issues, while most of the remaining incidents were due to human negligence.
In early April, a fire reportedly set out of enmity in Chauddagram and a recent incident where three buses caught fire simultaneously at Jangalia bus terminal drew widespread attention. In March, several fires were also reported in homes, madrasas, and shops in Laksam, Burichang, and the city area.
Out of Cumilla’s 17 উপজilas, only 11 have a total of 13 fire service stations. The absence of stations in the remaining six areas often delays response time, leading to greater damage.
Fire Service officials stressed the need for regular inspection of electrical and gas connections, increased public awareness, and installation of fire extinguishers in homes and establishments. In emergencies, people are advised to call the Fire Service hotline 102 or the national emergency number 999.
