Arson Suspected in Bagerhat House Fire; Complaint Filed

A suspected arson attack has reduced a house to ashes in Bagerhat’s Morelganj upazila, leaving an elderly couple destitute and causing an estimated loss of Tk 2 lakh.

The incident occurred early Monday in Hartakitala village, under Nishanbaria Union, while the homeowner, Liakat Hossain, and his wife were visiting their son in Mongla. Neighbors spotted the flames and rushed to extinguish the blaze, but the fire quickly engulfed the tin-shed property before anything could be saved.

Upon returning to the ruins of his home, Liakat filed a formal complaint with the Morelganj Police Station on Thursday morning, May 20. He alleges the fire was a targeted attack by local drug addicts.

"We strongly suspect they deliberately set the house on fire while we were away," a devastated Liakat said. "They used to trespass on our property to consume drugs. Whenever we tried to stop them, they threatened us. Now I have lost everything."

Appealing for government assistance, he added, "I have become completely destitute."

Neighbors corroborated Liakat's claims, confirming the frequent presence of delinquents in the area and noting a history of similar disturbances.

Morelganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahmudur Rahman confirmed that a formal complaint has been registered. "We are investigating the incident, and strict legal action will be taken based on our findings," he stated.