Ukhiya, Oct 28 (V7N) – A fire broke out after a gas-like substance emerged from underground during deep tubewell drilling in Inani, a tourist area of Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar, and continued burning for around 15 hours until 10pm on Tuesday.

The incident triggered panic among local residents, with occasional loud noises reported from the site. Hundreds of curious onlookers gathered in the area, prompting authorities to strengthen safety measures. Electricity supply along a 33-kilovolt transmission line was suspended as a precaution.

A two-member team from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) visited the site on Tuesday night to assess the situation. The team said it would return on Wednesday morning for further inspection and provide more information after examining the incident.

The fire started around 7am in the yard of Mohammad Abdullah’s house, beside a small bridge north of a small canal in Inani, Jaliapalong Union. Local sources said deep tubewell installation work had been underway at the house for about a week. When drilling reached approximately 1,000 feet, a gas-like substance suddenly began escaping from underground, followed by flames.

Abdullah, son of former Baharchhara Union Parishad chairman Habibullah of Teknaf, said workers were drilling the tubewell when the substance emerged and caught fire. He said he contacted the Fire Service, whose personnel arrived and attempted to extinguish the flames, but the fire continued.

A local resident, Siraj, said he noticed the flames early in the morning and initially tried to help control the fire. When the situation became unmanageable, the Fire Service was called.

Fire Service Struggles to Control Flames

Saidul Islam, station officer of Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence, said three firefighting units were deployed after receiving the report.

He said the continuous flow of the underground substance had prevented firefighters from fully extinguishing the flames. Teams were taking measures to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby areas.

He added that residential houses were located close to the site and tourists also frequently visited the area, making it essential to keep people alert and prevent them from approaching the fire.

33kV Electricity Supply Suspended

Kaizar Noor, deputy general manager of Ukhiya Palli Bidyut Samity, said a 33kV transmission line ran close to the incident site.

To reduce the risk of an accident, electricity supply was temporarily suspended across an approximately 15-kilometre stretch between Monkhali and Patuartek.

Local law enforcement personnel were also deployed to control the growing crowd and keep onlookers at a safe distance.

MP Visits Site as Authorities Monitor Situation

Local Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury visited the site after learning of the incident. He urged residents to maintain a safe distance and remain cautious to avoid possible accidents.

Jaliapalong Union Parishad Chairman SM Syed Alam said the fire had continued for hours despite efforts to control it. He added that the union administration was assisting the upazila administration in managing the situation.

Abu Abdullah, assistant commissioner (land) of Ukhiya, said the administration had been monitoring the incident and coordinating with the relevant agencies to control the fire.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan said the incident was initially suspected to be linked to the presence of natural gas underground. The area had been placed under safety measures, and BAPEX was contacted for an expert assessment.

BAPEX Team to Conduct Further Inspection

The two-member BAPEX team arrived at the site around 8pm on Tuesday. The members were Md Imam ul Islam, deputy manager (geology), and Mr Nafifun, manager (geology).

The team observed the situation and said it would return on Wednesday morning for further examination.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Panna Akter said law enforcement personnel were working to control the crowd and ensure safety around the site. She confirmed that electricity had been suspended because the fire was burning beneath the 33kV transmission line.

Nature of Underground Substance Remains Unconfirmed

The incident has prompted speculation among local residents about the possible presence of natural gas beneath the area. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the composition of the substance emerging from the ground.

Rafiqul Uddin, a local resident, said loud noises could be heard intermittently, adding to public anxiety. Another resident, Layla Begum, 48, said she had visited the site with her daughter to see the fire.

Authorities urged people to avoid crowding around the location while experts assess the situation.

The BAPEX team’s further inspection and any necessary tests are expected to help establish the nature of the escaping substance and determine whether natural gas is present underground. Until those findings are available, the incident cannot be confirmed as evidence of a natural gas deposit.

END/MSI/SMA/