Summary:
- A fire broke out on Saint Martin’s Island on January 15, 2025, destroying three resorts but causing no casualties.
- Beach Valley Resort was completely destroyed, while parts of Kingshuk and Shairi Resorts were damaged.
- The absence of firefighting equipment on the island hindered efforts to control the blaze.
- Local residents used sand to extinguish the fire, but the cause remains unknown.
A devastating fire broke out on Saint Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in the early hours of January 15, 2025, destroying three resorts and causing significant property damage. The incident occurred in the Galachipa area on the island’s western beach around 2:30 a.m. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
According to Mujibur Rahman, Chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, the fire completely engulfed Beach Valley Resort, while six rooms of Kingshuk Resort and a portion of Shairi Resort were also destroyed. He stated that the absence of firefighting equipment on the island hindered immediate efforts to extinguish the blaze. “Local residents attempted to put out the fire using sand,” Rahman explained. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Residents of Saint Martin’s Island expressed concerns over the lack of fire safety measures. Zainal Abedin, a local resident, noted that the absence of a fire service station on the island contributed to the extent of the damage. “The losses could have been minimized if proper firefighting resources were available,” he said.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring safety infrastructure in remote areas like Saint Martin’s Island, a popular tourist destination. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, calls for improved emergency response systems and preventative measures are likely to intensify.
Source: The Daily Star
