Assessment of the 28 December 2025 Fire Incident in Rohingya Refugee Camps 24 and 25, Hnila Union, Between Leda and Alikhali

Abstract

 A large-scale fire incident occurred in Rohingya Refugee Camp 24 and 25 Hnila Union Between Leda and Alikhali in Teknaf area on 28 December 2025.The fire caused extensive damage to residential shelters and essential facilities, injured three individuals, and displaced a substantial number of households. According to the sources, no fatality is reported. The incident exposed persistent structural vulnerabilities inherent in densely populated refugee settlement despite the rapid response by community members and Disaster Management Units. According to the collected data and analysis, this report presents a systematic assessment of the incident, including its location, impact, response actions, and immediate humanitarian needs. The analysis aims to support informed decision-making for emergency response, recovery planning, and fire risk reduction.

Introduction

Fire incidents remain one of the most frequent and destructive hazards in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, particularly in winter season every year. Due to the high population density, flammable shelter materials, limited access routes, and constrained firefighting capacity significantly increase fire risk and spread quickly. This report documents and analyzes the fire incident that occurred on 28 December 2025, following standard humanitarian reporting practices to ensure clarity, accountability, and operational relevance.

Incident Overview

• The fire incident occurred in Rohingya Refugee Camp 24 and 25, located in Hnila Union between Alikhali and Leda, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on 28 December 2025 at approximately 9:50 pm. The affected area was Block C, Sub-Block C4, under Majhi Section LMS-F. The incident took place during nighttime hours, which significantly limited visibility and created challenges for evacuation and coordination. The dense arrangement of shelters in the affected block contributed to the rapid spread of the fire before it was brought under control.

Impact Assessment

• The incident resulted in injuries to three individuals, while no fatalities were reported. The absence of loss of life reflects timely and effective immediate action by community responders. The reported injuries were likely caused by direct exposure to flames, smoke inhalation, or hazards encountered during evacuation.

In terms of physical damage, the fire caused extensive destruction to shelters and facilities.

• Approximately 40 shelters were fully damaged, and more than 20 shelters were partially damaged according to the camp residents. Most of the family assets and personal properties of those affected shelters were burnt down.
• Additionally, nine NGOs facilities were fully damaged, while thirteen facilities sustained partial damage. The destruction of shelters led to significant displacement, while partially damaged structures remain unsafe for habitation.
• Damage to facilities further disrupted access to essential services within the camp.

Source of Fire

• At the time of reporting, the actual cause of the fire remains unidentified. According to some camp residents, the fire originated from a cooking stove, while others say it started from a phone charger explosion.
• The absence of a confirmed source underscores the importance of conducting structured post-incident investigations and strengthening fire risk monitoring and prevention mechanisms within the camp.

Emergency Response and Fire Suppression

• Fire suppression efforts were initiated immediately by Rohingya refugee community members and Disaster Management Units under difficult nighttime conditions. Firefighting activities relied on locally available resources, including water transported by Tuktuk vehicles and the use of MFFU wheely frames.

The primary responders were community volunteers and Disaster Management Units, with a total of 48 DMUs deployed. During the response, nine fire extinguishers, five MFFUs, and two fire resources were utilized. Despite limited equipment and the absence of external firefighting services, the coordinated response played a critical role in preventing further spread of the fire.

Humanitarian Implications and Immediate Needs

• The incident generated urgent humanitarian needs, particularly among households whose shelters were fully destroyed. Priority interventions include:

– Emergency shelter support and shelter repair materials

– Medical care, food ration and follow-up for injured individuals

– Distribution of essential non-food items such as bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils

– Protection services for displaced and vulnerable populations

– Psychosocial support for trauma-affected individuals

– Strengthened fire preparedness, prevention, and risk reduction measures

Conclusion

The fire incident between Rohingya Refugee Camp 24 and 25 on 28 December 2025 highlights the ongoing vulnerability of refugee settlements to fire hazards. Although no loss of life occurred, the extensive damage to shelters, family assets, personal properties and facilities and the resulting displacement constitute a serious humanitarian concern. The incident reinforces the need to strengthen community-based response systems, improve access to professional firefighting services, and invest in preventive infrastructure and awareness. Timely, coordinated, and adequately resourced interventions are essential to address immediate needs and reduce the likelihood and impact of future fire incidents.

Photo credit: Md Hossain

About author:

Mohammed Siraj is a Rohingya multidisciplinary researcher, political analyst, human rights advocate, and an aspiring legal scholar in Public Law. His work focuses on politics, conflict issues, public law, policy and institutions, migration studies, Rohingya identity, human rights violations, genocide, education, refugee issues, humanitarian crises, and social justice. He is based in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya refugee camp.