A fire broke out at Hotel The Sea Princess near Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar after a suspected short circuit in a generator, putting the lives of more than 300 tourists staying in the building at risk. However, no casualties or injuries were reported.
The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes through the efforts of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence and hotel staff. Despite the rapid response, the generator in the parking area and parts of the hotel’s internal infrastructure sustained significant damage.
The incident comes less than a week after a devastating fire at Tup Tup Resort near Inani beach in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, reportedly killed 10 tourists. The latest blaze has renewed concerns about fire safety in the district’s tourism and accommodation sector.
According to hotel authorities and eyewitnesses, the fire started in the generator area and quickly spread through the parking area, generating thick smoke. Tourists inside the building panicked, triggering confusion and a rush to leave. However, timely warnings enabled the guests to evacuate the building safely.
After receiving the alert, a unit of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence promptly arrived at the scene. Firefighters worked alongside hotel staff to extinguish the blaze after approximately half an hour of intensive efforts.
Abdul Kader, managing director of the hotel, confirmed the incident and credited the establishment’s fire safety arrangements and employees’ quick response for preventing a major disaster.
“Our multistorey building was equipped with adequate and modern firefighting equipment and safety measures. The immediate skill, presence of mind and courage shown by our officers and employees at the very beginning of the fire helped us avert a devastating disaster,” he said.
“No one was killed or injured, and all our tourists are completely safe and unharmed,” he added.
Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, said a nearby fire station dispatched a unit immediately after receiving the report.
“We were able to extinguish the fire successfully. Preliminary findings suggest that the electrical fire originated from a short circuit in the generator installed in the parking area. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or physical injuries,” he said.
The incident has intensified concerns over fire safety and structural protection in Cox’s Bazar’s hospitality sector, particularly following the deadly fire at Tup Tup Resort near Inani beach in Ukhiya on October 17.
The earlier incident reportedly claimed the lives of 10 tourists. With another fire occurring at a hotel in the popular tourist destination, questions have again emerged over whether accommodation facilities have adequate fire prevention measures and emergency response arrangements.
