Fire from underground gas at Ukhiya tubewell site still burning after 12 hours, BAPEX team at scene
A gas fire has broken out from underground during digging to install a tubewell in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. The fire could not be brought under control by 8pm on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at around 8:30am today in the courtyard of Mohammad Abdullah's house near the small bridge at Inani in the upazila, while digging was under way to install the tubewell.
Mohammad Abdullah said work to install a deep tubewell in his courtyard began a few days ago. No drinking water was found even after digging to a depth of about 900 feet. Digging then began at another spot from Monday. On Tuesday morning, fire suddenly flared up.
As smoke smelling of gas was coming out, officials concerned suspect natural gas may be present there.
On receiving the news, three Fire Service units went to the scene and began work to control the fire. Despite efforts until the afternoon, the fire could not be brought under control. Ukhiya Fire Service station officer Saidul Islam said it is initially suspected that the presence of gas underground may have created the situation.
Kaiser Noor, deputy general manager of Ukhiya Palli Bidyut Samity, said a 33 kV power line is close to the place where the fire is burning. To prevent the fire spreading and avoid a possible accident, electricity supply has been temporarily shut off over an area of about 15 kilometres from Monkhali to Patuartek.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter said everyone is being warned so that no accident occurs.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan said it is initially suspected the incident was caused by natural gas there. For that reason the area has been brought under a security cordon and BAPEX has been informed. A two-member team from Dhaka reached Cox's Bazar after the evening. They will go to the scene and decide what is to be done.
