A fire broke out at a community centre in Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram early Friday.聽
The incident took place at around 2:00am on Friday at Kutumbari Convention Center in Choto Darogar Hat Bazar area under Baraiyadhala union in Sitakunda upazila, according to fire service officials.聽
Sitakunda fire service station officer Machindra Lal Tripura said that a team of firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes.
Several chairs inside the centre were damaged, the officer said, adding that the exact cause of the fire was not known immediately.聽
The owner of the community centre, Rehan Uddin, also a former joint general secretary of the Sitakunda upazila Awami League and chairman of Baraiyadhala union parishad, alleged that the fire was an act of sabotage.聽
鈥楽ome locals attempted to take over the community centre after August 5, forcing it to remain closed for several months. We resumed operations in January, hosting four to five events since then,鈥� Rehan Uddin said.聽
He claimed that unidentified people climbed up the walls at night and deliberately set the centre on fire.
A security guard at the market first noticed the blaze and informed the manager, the owner said, adding, 鈥楾he damage, including burnt chairs, tables, and the ceiling, is estimated at around Tk 10 lakhs.鈥�
Sitakunda police officer-in-charge Md Mojibur Rahman said that on information, police informed the fire service of the incident.
The ceiling and some chairs were damaged, the OC said, adding that further details will be known after investigation.
