Homestead in Kurigram reduced to ashes; 4 cows killed, losses near Tk 1.5 lakh

A devastating fire in Ulipur upazila has reduced a family’s homestead to ashes, killing four cattle and destroying property estimated at 1.5 million BDT.

The blaze broke out late Tuesday (March 24) night in the Jantarhat area of Buraburi Union.

Local sources said the homeowner, Rafiqul Islam, was away working at a brick kiln in Dhaka when the fire started. His wife and children were home when they noticed flames erupting from the kitchen. While neighbors rushed to help, the fire spread rapidly to the cowshed and main living quarters.

The family lost four cows, three living rooms, a kitchen, and all their furniture. Additionally, 22 maunds of paddy, 4 maunds of mustard, and other food stocks were destroyed.

"We are destitute," said a tearful Aziza Begum, Rafiqul’s wife. "Everything we worked for is gone. We have nothing left."

The Ulipur Fire Service and Civil Defense arrived shortly after the alarm was raised and brought the flames under control. Acting Station In-charge Saiful Islam stated that an electrical short circuit is the suspected cause, though a formal investigation will confirm the exact details and total losses.