By: Hafizur Rahman, Camp Correspondent
Cox’s Bazar, January 30, 2025 – A fire broke out in Camp 18, Sub Block B52, around 7:30 AM today, causing panic among Rohingya refugees. The fire started in an unattended shop, quickly spreading to nearby shelters. One shelter was completely burned, while a shop and three other shelters sustained partial damage.
Local Rohingya residents and trained Rohingya Firefighters acted swiftly, bringing the fire under control before it could spread further. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
“The community responded immediately, and thanks to the Rohingya Firefighters, we managed to control the fire in time. But repeated fires in the camps are alarming—we need better safety measures to protect our people,” said a resident of Camp 18.
This incident is part of a worrying trend of fires in the Rohingya camps. In recent years, fires in Camp 1W, Camp 5, and Balukhali Camp have caused severe losses, leaving many refugees homeless and struggling to rebuild.
While some fires are accidental, others raise suspicions of arson, adding to the growing insecurity in the camps. Community leaders and humanitarian organizations are urging for improved fire prevention measures, including more firefighting equipment, better training, and enhanced security to prevent future incidents.
