Two dead, hundreds of homes burnt

Two people have been killed and several hundred homes and structures have burnt after a fire broke out at the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya, reports bdnews24.com.

Two bodies were recovered from the scene, says Mohammad Tanharul, deputy director of the Fire Service.

The incident occurred at the Lambashia 1-West camp's D-Block around 12:45pm on Tuesday.

Ten units of the Fire Service were able to bring the blaze completely under control after two hours of effort, according to Md Arif Hossein, chief of Ukhiya Police Station.

Citing locals, Arif said that a sudden fire broke out at a room in the D-Block and spread to nearby homes and structures.

When the incident was reported, the camp administration sent three units from the Ukhiya Fire Service Station to the spot. Units from the Cox's Bazar and Teknaf Fire Service joined their efforts when they struggled to tame the fire.

Army personnel and local volunteers worked alongside the firefighters.

The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed, but OC Arif said: "Locals believe the fire may have started from an electrical short circuit or from a gas cylinder used for cooking."

The extent of the damage could not immediately be confirmed, he said.