Sajek Fire Incident: 20 resorts burnt, turn into ashes

Staff Reporter :

At least twenty resorts and cottages were completely gutted and over 50 establishments destroyed in a devastating fire that broke out at Sajek, a popular tourist destination in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila, on Monday afternoon.

The fire reportedly started around 1:00 PM at Obokash Resort and quickly spread to neighboring properties, including Echo Valley Resort, Meghchut Resort, Montana Restaurant, and Maruati Restaurant, among others. Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze ravaged the buildings, causing extensive damage to both structures and property.

Local authorities responded swiftly to the emergency. A joint team from the Army, stationed at the Baghaihat Zone, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from the 27th and 54th battalions rushed to the scene to assist the local community in controlling the fire. However, despite their efforts, the fire was still not fully contained as of 4:00 PM.

“We don’t know yet how the fire started, but it’s spreading rapidly,” said a local witness. “It’s a huge loss for all the resort owners and tourists who visit this beautiful place.”

Indrajit Chakma, the owner of Hill View Resort, confirmed that 15 to 16 resorts and cottages had been severely affected by the fire. He further noted that the Fire Service had taken nearly two hours to arrive at the scene from Dighinala, Khagrachhari district.

Shirin Akter, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Baghaichhari, stated that army personnel and BGB members were working tirelessly to control the fire and prevent further damage.
“The situation is under control, but we are still trying to extinguish the flames,” she said.

As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine how the blaze started. Authorities are also assessing the full extent of the damage and providing support to those affected by the disaster.

Tourism officials and locals are concerned about the impact of this incident on Sajek’s reputation as a top tourist destination. Many visitors who had planned to stay in the area are now stranded, and the community is left grappling with the aftermath of one of the worst fires in the region’s history.

The fire has drawn significant concern, and authorities are calling for urgent measures to improve fire safety standards in tourist areas.