Cox's Bazar gas fire continued after 20 hours; Alert issued

Four Fire Service units worked throughout Tuesday to contain the blaze, but officials from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) warned against attempts to extinguish it forcibly, citing the risk of the fire spreading underground.

SM Nafifun Arham, a BAPEX manager and head of its geological survey team, said after inspecting the site around 11PM on Tuesday that the fire would likely go out naturally once the gas in the underground layer was depleted.

He cautioned that forcibly putting out the flames before the gas supply subsided could cause fire to spread beneath the ground.

BAPEX representatives recommended keeping the surrounding area cordoned off and restricting public movement within a 200-250-metre radius while the situation is monitored.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter said authorities had instructed people to avoid gathering within the restricted zone. Further measures would be taken after reassessing the situation once the fire was extinguished, she added.

Gas eruption during tube-well drilling

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at a residential plot near a small bridge in Inani, under Jaliapalong union, where workers were drilling to install a deep tube well.

Gas with a strong odour suddenly began escaping from underground, followed by flames at the mouth of the borehole.

Saidul Islam, an official at the Ukhiya Fire Service Station, said firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving the report. Authorities initially suspected the incident was caused by the presence of underground gas.

Local residents said the gas eruption appeared to intensify after sunset on Tuesday compared with the morning, raising concerns about the strength of the fire and the potential danger to nearby communities.

BAPEX officials said further assessment was needed to determine the extent of the gas-bearing layer, the volume of gas underground and how long the fire might continue.

Power supply suspended as precaution

Meanwhile, Ukhiya Rural Electric Cooperative Society took precautionary measures amid concerns that the fire could spread towards nearby electricity poles and lines.

Electricity supply was temporarily suspended along an approximately 15-kilometre stretch of the 33-kilovolt power line from Monkhali to Patuartek.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the fire burns, with public access to the surrounding area restricted on safety grounds.