Police have filed a case against 23 people, including the owner of the resort, following a tragic and massive fire at Toptop Retro and Resort in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, that resulted in the deaths of 10 people. Resort manager Mohammad Suman has been arrested in connection with the incident. Relevant authorities have not yet been able to confirm how the fire originated, and are currently examining whether there was any negligence in fire safety measures and the operation of the resort.
On Saturday night, Ukhia Police Station Sub-Inspector Ashish Sutradhar filed the case as the plaintiff. On Sunday morning, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ukhia Police Station Atiqur Rahman Majumdar confirmed the filing of the case.
Md. Tanvir, the owner of the resort, has been named as the prime accused in the case. The name of Newaz Morshed is also mentioned. According to police information, the case names four individuals, while the remaining 19 are unidentified accused. Resort manager Zahidul Islam alias Suman was detained from the scene on Saturday afternoon and was later shown arrested in this case.
Devastating Fire in the Morning
Around 7:30 AM on Saturday, a fire broke out at the resort, which is located adjacent to the Marine Drive road in the Patuartek area of Inani, Ukhia, Cox's Bazar. Upon receiving the information, Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene. Local residents also participated in firefighting and rescue operations with the assistance of police.
Md. Toufiqul Islam Bhuiyan, Deputy Director of the Chattogram Division of Fire Service and Civil Defense, stated that the Cox's Bazar Fire Service received news of the fire at 7:23 AM. Rescue workers arrived at the scene around 8:00 AM, and the fire was brought under control at 8:15 AM.
Ten people died in the fire. Among them, the bodies of four individuals were recovered from two washrooms on the third floor of the resort. Complexity arose in the rescue operations due to the intensity of the fire and how rapidly it spread.
Questions Regarding Fire Safety
According to Fire Service official Toufiqul Islam Bhuiyan, strong winds blowing from the sea caused the fire to spread rapidly through the wooden resort. He stated that the structure lacked necessary provisions such as portable fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, hose pipes, and a fire safety plan. The resort also did not possess a fire license. It had been constructed only seven to eight months prior, and he noted that there was also a dispute regarding the ownership of the land.
Meanwhile, an investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the fire. On Sunday morning, Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police A N M Sajedur Rahman said that until the investigation is concluded, it is not possible to confirm anything about the cause of the fire, which will only be certain through the investigation.
Identities of Six Victims Confirmed
Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, stated that the primary identities of six among the 10 deceased have been learned, though it has not yet been confirmed which body belongs to whom among the recovered remains.
The individuals whose identities have been confirmed are Israt Jahan (30) and Milita Mehejabin (23) of Bonosree in Dhaka; Laila Jahan (27) and Nafista Mim (27) of Khilgaon in the capital; Fariha Kabir (33) from Chuadanga; and five-year-old Fayizan Ahmed. The identities of the remaining four have not been confirmed; among them are two women, one child, and one man.
Relevant authorities are working on the process of confirming the identities of the deceased and handing over the bodies to their relatives. Meanwhile, investigations are awaited to uncover any fire safety flaws, operational errors, or negligence behind the fire.
