Cox’s Bazar resort hit by fire had no licence

Tup Tup Resort in Inani, Cox’s Bazar, where 10 people were reported killed in a fire, did not hold a fire service licence, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Junaid said on Saturday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Fire Service headquarters on October 17, the director general said the three-storey wooden resort housed a restaurant on the ground floor and guest accommodation on the two floors above. He added that the establishment had not obtained the requisite fire safety certification and was not operating in compliance with regulations. Firefighters received word of the blaze at around 7:30 am and travelled to the scene from a station roughly 22 kilometres away, he said, and six bodies had been recovered from the site.

The director general observed that many resorts in Cox’s Bazar and other tourist destinations use timber and other flammable materials without obtaining the necessary approvals. Consequently, the authorities would work with relevant organisations to issue notices and raise awareness about fire safety. Nevertheless, he cautioned that the cause of the Tup Tup Resort fire could be established only through a thorough investigation.

Read More: At least 10 dead in Cox’s Bazar resort fire

He also highlighted the difficulties of tackling fires in densely populated areas, particularly Old Dhaka, where narrow roads and insufficient gaps between buildings can obstruct emergency vehicles. Moreover, while stressing the need to adhere to building codes and safety regulations, he acknowledged the practical challenges of retrofitting older structures.