Gas fire rages for 4 days in Cox’s Bazar, section 144 imposed

The Ukhiya upazila administration has imposed Section 144 within a 200-metre radius of a site in Inani of Cox’s Bazar, where a fire caused by underground gas during deep tubewell excavation has been burning since 27 October.

The restriction prohibits public entry and presence in the area and will remain in force until further notice, according to an order issued by Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Panna Akhter on Thursday night.

According to the order, gas started leaking from a hole while workers were installing a tubewell at a house near Inani Chhota Khan Bridge in Ward No 6 of Jaliapalong union on 27 October. The drilling had reached a depth of around 1,000 feet when the fire broke out.

Several Fire Service units later worked to control the blaze under the supervision of the upazila administration, but the fire remained active.

A technical team from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) inspected the site to assess the possibility of natural gas reserves and provided necessary technical guidance.

An emergency meeting was held at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Thursday to address the situation and ensure public safety.

The meeting decided to establish safety zones around the fire site and take precautionary measures. 

Activities that could generate sparks, including lighting fires, smoking and using matches or lighters, have been prohibited in and around the area.

The administration warned that legal action would be taken against anyone violating the order.