by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | March 31, 2026
A fire broke out at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday in an area known as Amgas Tala, near the main road in Camp 2E of the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
According to residents, the fire started suddenly while most people were asleep and spread quickly through the shelters, which are mainly made of bamboo and tarpaulin. The materials allowed the flames to move rapidly from one structure to another, making it difficult to contain in the early moments.
People rushed out of their shelters to escape the fire, trying to save family members and belongings. Some residents attempted to control the flames using buckets of water before emergency support arrived.
There is no confirmed report of casualties so far, but several shelters are believed to have been damaged. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Local authorities and camp volunteers responded and worked to bring the fire under control. More information is expected as assessments continue.
Residents expressed concern over safety conditions in the camps, where frequent fires are linked to overcrowding and the widespread use of highly flammable shelter materials.
