Fire Erupts from Tube Well in Inani, Bapex Expert Team to Visit Site

Flames have been coming out of a tube well during drilling near the Small Inani Bridge in Inani, Ukhiya upazila, Cox’s Bazar. The incident has raised suspicions that gas may be present underground.

The tube well was drilled to a depth of around 1,000 feet. Flames began emerging from the pipe, accompanied by a strong smell of gas. Despite repeated attempts, firefighters have been unable to extinguish the flames.

The incident came to light on Tuesday (October 27), drawing the attention of local residents. Flames continued to burn from the pipe throughout the day.

Ukhiya Fire Service official Saiful Islam said the tube well had been drilled to a depth of around 1,000 feet. Flames were coming out of the pipe under high pressure, accompanied by the smell of gas. Firefighters had been unable to bring the flames under control despite repeated attempts, he added.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter visited the site. She said preliminary assessments suggested that a gas-like substance might have accumulated underground. The district administration had been informed, and a team of experts from the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex) was expected to visit the site for testing.

The nature and source of the substance will be determined after the experts examine it, she added.

However, the presence of escaping gas and flames does not prove that the site contains commercially viable natural gas reserves. Gas samples must be analysed and geological tests conducted to establish this.

Meanwhile, a warning has been issued within a 15-kilometre radius of the site because of the potential risks posed by flammable gas. People have been advised to avoid smoking, open flames and activities that could generate sparks near the site.

The nature of the substance will be confirmed after the Bapex experts complete their examination.