Dhaka, 13 January (H.S.):

A fierce fire broke out Monday night at the scrap storage facility of the Matarbari Thermal Power Plant in Moheshkhali Upazila, Cox's Bazar, prompting an intense two-hour effort by fire services and civil defense teams to bring the blaze under control. Plant officials promptly ordered a thorough investigation into the cause, confirming no disruption to the production unit despite initial flames sighted near critical infrastructure.

Local residents spotted towering infernos from a nearby bridge, underscoring the rapid response that averted wider catastrophe at the key coal-fired facility.Firefighters' Relentless OperationAccording to the Dhaka Tribune, the conflagration ignited around 9:15 PM in the waste storage area, with Moheshkhali Fire Service and Civil Defense Center chief Ramprasad Sen dispatching teams immediately upon alert.

Sen detailed that approximately two hours of strenuous firefighting subdued the flames completely, preventing spread to operational zones. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Imran Mahmud Dalim corroborated the timeline, noting ignition near 8:45 PM close to the production unit but swift containment ensuring zero impact on power generation.

No Damage to Core Operations

Plant authorities emphasized the incident's isolation to non-essential scrap storage, with no reported injuries or threats to the ultra-supercritical coal units commissioned in recent years. The episode highlights persistent safety challenges at Matarbari, a linchpin of Bangladesh's energy grid amid expanding capacity demands. Investigations proceed to pinpoint ignition sources, potentially spanning electrical faults or combustible waste accumulation, as officials reinforce protocols at the strategic southeastern hub.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar