The incident took place in the afternoon in Sheikh Badi at Sendra village under Barakul Purba union of the upazila.

According to locals, the fire originated from the kitchen of one Zakir Hossain at around 3:30 pm. Then the fire instantly spread around.

Later, on information, Hajiganj fire service personnel reached the spot and brought the fire under control with the help of locals.

At that time, 11 small and big houses, including living rooms, furniture, cash Taka, gold ornaments, necessary documents were burnt. The victims claimed that there was a loss of around Tk 30 lakh in the fire. The victims are now living below in the open sky.

Eyewitness and victim Ruma Akter said that she was cooking Iftar items in the afternoon. At that time, the electric meter of Zakir’s house exploded and caught fire. Though everyone in the house tried to extinguish the fire with water but to no avail. Within 10 minutes the entire house was engulfed in flames.

Victims Parveen Begum and Abdur Rab said, “The fire was caused by electric short circuit. In an instant, one by one, all the rooms caught fire. We somehow got out of the house with life. Couldn’t save anything.”
At that time, the atmosphere became miserable with the cries of Parveen Begum and other affected family members.

Hajiganj Fire Service Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Ahsan confirmed the news. He said the extent of the damage could not be ascertained immediately.

Former UP member Anisur Rahman Sohel said in the fire, the families could not save anything except the clothes they were wearing. The fire was brought under control with the efforts of local residents and fire service members. The families have become destitute just before Eid, he added.

UP Chairman Mojibur Rahman Mojib said, ”After visiting the scene, I have informed our MP Major(Rtd.) Rafiqul Islam, UNO Tapas Sheel. He said that 10 sacks of rice and 30 blankets were given immediately from the upazila administration. I have also given Tk 20,000 to the affected families on my own initiative.”