A massive fire broke out at an oil depot in Taherpur Bazar of Bagmara Upazila of Rajshahi, ravaging eight shops. About 400 barrels of oil from the oil shop were burnt to ashes.
The fire started on Sunday (December 22) evening after an explosion in an oil truck. Four units of the fire service were able to bring the fire under control around 7:30 pm after an hour and a half of effort. However, the extent of the damage could not be immediately assessed.
Locals said that oil was being poured into barrels from a Padma Oil tanker truck at the shop of a businessman named Alif in Taherpur Bazar. At that time, the truck suddenly caught fire. An explosion occurred within moments and the fire spread to the surrounding shops. In addition to the oil depot, a food hotel, grocery store and a workshop were burnt down.
Md. Ibrahim, in-charge of the Bagmara Fire Station of the Fire Service and Civil Defense said that after receiving the information, four units from Bagmara and Durgapur fire stations reached the spot and started working to extinguish the fire. The fire was brought under control after about an hour and a half of effort. However, before that, the tanker truck was destroyed and about 400 barrels of oil from the oil shop were burnt to ashes.
The fire service official believes that the accident occurred due to a cigarette fire while pouring oil from the tanker truck into the barrels. The shops affected by the fire include a food hotel, grocery store and workshop. The extent of the damage could not be determined immediately. However, the concerned said that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.