3 houses gutted in Kushtia fire

A devastating fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, gutted the dwelling house of a farmer in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila on Tuesday afternoon, leaving an estimated loss of around Tk 10 lakh.

The victim was identified as Bahadur Ali, a resident of Abdulpur village under ward no 6 of Aria union.

According to locals and family members, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit and quickly spread, engulfing three residences and all belongings. Locals initially refrained from approaching due to fear of electrocution.

The blaze continued for nearly two hours before being brought under control by locals, by which time all valuables, including furniture, corrugated sheets, cash money, grain and clothes, were reduced to ashes.

Bahadur Ali said he was working in the field at the time, while his wife and children were attending a wedding ceremony. “Everything I had is gone. I have nothing left,” he said, estimating the loss at around Tk 10 lakh.

Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha said the administration would assess the situation and provide necessary assistance to the affected family.

SI/AM