Fire Fuels Fear at Khanganj Union Digital Centre

A fire broke out early Friday morning (9 May) at the Khanganj Union Parishad in Rajbari Sadar upazila, destroying the Union Digital Centre (UDC).

Kazi Abu Shahin, director of the Digital Centre, stated, “At 5:08 a.m., local resident Jahurul Chacha called to inform me about the fire. I immediately contacted the Rajbari Fire Service and rushed to the office. Upon arrival, I saw flames engulfing the Digital Centre. Later, the Fire Service arrived and brought the blaze under control.”

He further reported that the fire consumed a laptop, a desktop computer, router, photocopier, printer, essential files, furniture, as well as the BTCL broadband device and battery.

“There is an element of mystery surrounding the incident,” Abu Shahin added. “Both the front and rear windows of the Digital Centre room were open, which they should not have been.”

Md. Sonaj Miah, Station Officer of Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence, said, “Upon receiving the call, we reached the scene at 5:34 a.m. and brought the fire under control within five minutes. Initial findings suggest the fire originated from an electrical short circuit. The estimated damage is around BDT 200,000, though the exact amount and cause will be confirmed after further investigation.”

Attempts to contact Khanganj Union Parishad Chairman Md. Sharifur Rahman by phone for comment were unsuccessful.

Officer-in-Charge of Rajbari Police Station, Mahmudur Rahman, confirmed, “Police have visited the site. Fire Service officials have initially concluded that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.”

It is worth noting that Chairman Md. Sharifur Rahman Sohan has not been attending office since 13 March. Since then, a section of locals has been demanding his removal. On 18 March, a human chain was held and a memorandum was submitted to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer in support of this demand.