RAJSHAHI — A fire destroyed betel leaf farms covering 36 bighas in Khodapur village in Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi in about half an hour Friday, affecting roughly 60 growers, officials said.
The blaze broke out around 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Fire service officials said the fire is believed to have been started by a discarded bidi or cigarette. Damage is estimated at about 2 million taka (about $18,000).
Local residents said the fire began in the betel farms at Sardarpara bil in Khodapur. The fire took hold while villagers were at Friday prayers, leaving the farms unattended. A few growers spotted flames on the southern edge of the plot and raised the alarm, drawing neighbors who tried to bring the fire under control. Two fire service units later joined the effort and eventually contained the blaze.
Iman Ali, an affected farmer from Khodapur, said the fire started during Friday prayers and quickly took a devastating turn. “With the efforts of local farmers and fire service, the fire was brought under control,” he said. “But by then, our 20 bighas of betel leaf farms had already burned to ash.”
Abdur Razzak, agriculture officer for Bagmara upazila, said 36 bighas of farms belonging to 60 growers were destroyed. “We have reported the matter to higher authorities,” he said.
Mizanur Rahman, sub-officer at the Bagmara fire service, said the fire is believed to have started from a bidi or cigarette.
Mahbubul Islam, the Bagmara upazila nirbahi officer, called the incident tragic and said arrangements would be made to support affected farmers after a visit by the agriculture officer.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report