St. Martin, Jan 15, (V7N) - In the early hours of January 14, a major fire broke out on St. Martin’s Island, located in the Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The inferno engulfed three popular resorts on the island’s western coast, causing widespread damage, though no casualties have been reported as of yet.
 
According to local sources, the fire started around 2:30 AM at the Gallachipa Beach Valley Resort, located along the western shoreline of the island. The fire spread rapidly due to the dry weather conditions, quickly consuming the neighboring Shairi, Beach Valley, and King Shuk resorts.
 
Witnesses described how the flames spread uncontrollably, with local residents making initial attempts to extinguish the fire using basic firefighting methods. However, despite their best efforts, the flames continued to rage for some time.
 
Local resident Alamin Shikdar explained that the fire may have originated from a nearby resort, where waste materials were being burned on the beach. He mentioned that the burning waste likely sparked the blaze, which then spread quickly to the resorts. The owner of King Shuk Resort confirmed this account, stating that the fire began near the resort’s perimeter, where trash was being set alight in the open area.
 
In the absence of a dedicated fire service station on the island, the situation quickly escalated, and additional support was required. Local authorities, including the Coast Guard, Navy, and Tourist Police, were alerted and responded swiftly. The combined efforts of these agencies helped contain the fire after approximately an hour and a half of relentless work. The fire was finally brought under control by 4:00 AM.
 
The absence of a proper fire station on the island, which is a popular tourist destination, has raised concerns about the preparedness of the area to handle large-scale emergencies. As of now, the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities are looking into the role of the waste burning incident in sparking the fire.
 
The island, known for its picturesque beaches and as a significant tourist attraction, has suffered considerable damage due to the fire. However, the swift response by both the local residents and security forces likely prevented further loss and injury.
 
Authorities are urging increased awareness and safety measures in the resort areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. They are also expected to recommend fire safety infrastructure improvements, including the establishment of a dedicated fire service on the island.
 
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