Fire Destroys Livelihood of Rangpur Laborer Leaving Family Destitute
A day laborer in Rangpur’s Gangachhara upazila has been left destitute after a devastating fire razed his home and killed his four cattle, effectively destroying his family’s primary source of livelihood and financial security. The blaze, which broke out around 10 p.m. Friday in the Alekismat area of Kolkond Union, resulted in an estimated loss of 400,000 taka.
Bividas Chandra Ray, the head of the household, had relied on the livestock to secure his family’s future. Having purchased two cows years ago with a microcredit loan, he had successfully expanded his herd to four. His long-term plan was to sell the cattle to settle his debts and lease land for cultivation. Those aspirations were reduced to ash in a matter of hours as the fire, believed to have started from a mosquito coil in the cowshed, rapidly consumed the structure before spreading to the main residence.
According to Abdul Bari, station master of the local Fire Service and Civil Defence, emergency crews encountered obstacles on the road, which hampered their response time. By the time the fire was brought under control, the cattle had perished and the family’s furniture, clothing, and essential documents had been destroyed. The family managed to escape the burning home with only the clothes they were wearing.
Local officials have acknowledged the severity of the tragedy. Shariful Islam, a panel chairman of the Kolkond Union Parishad, described the family as being left in absolute poverty following the destruction of their hard-earned assets.
In response to the emergency, Gangachhara Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Jesmin Akter confirmed that the administration has provided immediate relief in the form of dry food rations. She added that further government assistance for the family is currently being processed.
