# Massive Fire Destroys 500 Shelters in Rohingya Refugee Camp

> A fire at Shafiullah Katta Rohingya Refugee Camp (Camp-16) in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, destroyed at least 500 shelters, two mosques, ten learning centers, and one madrasa. The blaze, which started from a resident’s unattend…

Published: 2026-01-20 · Desk: Latest · Source: Prothom Alo

At least 500 shelters were destroyed in a fire at the Shafiullah Katta Rohingya Refugee Camp (Camp-16) in Palongkhali Union, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Several learning centers and religious institutions in the camp were also damaged. The fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning around 3:45 am, was brought under control by 5:45 am.

According to Riaz Ullah, a Rohingya leader and head of Block D, the fire started in a resident’s kitchen stove. Initial reports indicate that a resident named Mohammad Anis was heating water on a gas stove around 2:45 am and fell asleep without turning it off, causing the fire to ignite and spread to neighboring shelters.

Riaz Ullah said the camp houses around 34,000 Rohingya, with bamboo and tarpaulin shelters built closely together. This dense arrangement makes it difficult to prevent fire from spreading once it starts. In addition to homes, two mosques, ten learning centers, and one madrasa were completely destroyed. Nearly 3,000 residents are now homeless and forced to stay under open skies. A few people were injured in the chaos, but no fatalities have been reported.

Upon learning of the fire, two units from the Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence quickly reached the scene and began firefighting efforts. Rohingya volunteers also assisted in controlling the fire.

Dollar Tripura, officer in charge of the Ukhiya Fire Station, said, “Reaching densely populated refugee camps is challenging for fire trucks, but our units arrived quickly and brought the fire under control. Any delay could have made it catastrophic.” He added that fire incidents increase during the winter season. Last year, on 26 December, a massive fire in Madhurchhara Refugee Camp (Camp-4) destroyed a private hospital, and on 25 December, a fire in Kutupalong Refugee Camp destroyed several shelters.

Original reporting: https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/3qflqi57zp?fbclid=IwY2xjawPcGgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHQXFNVlZWbG0xbnFHS2NPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv0Erpp6l0KJKo0a-456HOBd5cYoMWawbqo3udUSslwhhD4HzWQqUXYN99kS_aem_P-vbHOMHg7vW6nOVLGWUEQ
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