Bagha (Rajshahi) Correspondent

A devastating fire broke out in the Maliyandaha area of Ward 3, Pakuria Union, under Bagha Upazila in Rajshahi, burning down four residential houses at  around 12:30 AM on Friday  affecting the homes of Shamim, Sanarul, Sujon, and Swadhin. 

UNO visited the families and provided them with rice and other food supplies. A unit of the Fire Service worked for about an hour to bring the fire under control.

Locals reported that they initially tried to extinguish the fire themselves before the Fire Service arrived and took control of the situation.

The victims have been identified as:.Shamim Hossain, son of Ansar Ali,  Sanarul Islam, son of Soleman Hossain, Sujon Ali, son of Kamal and Swadhin Ali, son of Sanarul

All four families lost their homes and belongings in the fire and are currently left homeless, living under the open sky.

After hearing about the incident, Fakhrul Hasan Bablu, Convener of Bagha Upazila BNP and former UP Chairman of Pakuria Union, visited the site. He informed Abu Sayeed Chand, Convener of Rajshahi District BNP, who subsequently arranged financial assistance for the affected families on behalf of the party.

UNO Shammi Akter  visited the burnt houses at 11 AM on Friday and provided dry food and rice to the families. She also assured them of additional support in the form of cash and corrugated tin sheets for rebuilding.

Mizanur Rahman, Station Officer of Bagha Fire Service said,  their unit reached the scene after receiving the emergency call and managed to control the fire within an hour. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The fire is believed to have started from an electrical short circuit, although the total extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.