A massive fire broke out at the cotton warehouse of Delta Spinners Limited, located in Koltapara, Gouripur Upazila, Mymensingh. The fire, which started around 7:00 PM on Tuesday (November 10), reduced a large quantity of raw cotton stored in the warehouse—along with the facility’s infrastructure—to ashes. Following an intensive, all-night effort by nine units of the Fire Service, the blaze was brought completely under control by Wednesday morning.

The factory’s General Manager stated that the total damage caused by the fire is estimated at approximately 9 crore Taka. According to factory workers and others present, preparations were underway to distribute wages to the workers just before the fire broke out. As news of the fire spread, panic gripped the entire area. Fearing for their lives amidst the intense flames, many workers fled to safety, leaving them unable to collect their due wages at that time.

However, the factory’s General Manager (GM), Abu Ahammed Sharif, offered reassurance, stating that despite the temporary disruption, wages for the night shift and morning shift workers have already been disbursed. Wages for those who completed their shifts at 3:00 PM will also be distributed in due course. Regarding the cause and extent of the damage, General Manager Abu Ahammed Sharif explained that the fire is preliminarily believed to have been triggered by a short circuit in an electrical line located in front of the warehouse.

He noted that the warehouse contained 844 bales (approximately 206,000 kg) of raw cotton and 42,000 kg of cotton waste, with a market value of roughly 6.5 crore Taka. Additionally, the warehouse’s tin roof, iron framework, and all ventilation grilles and glass—valued at approximately 2.5 crore Taka—were destroyed. In total, the damage is estimated at around 9 crore Taka. However, as there is no direct connection between the godown and the main factory, the factory itself sustained no damage, and its normal operations and production continue uninterrupted.

He also confirmed that no workers or staff were injured or killed in the incident. Earlier, Khandaker Salauddin, Senior Administrative Officer at Delta Spinners Limited, stated that the fire broke out at approximately 7:10 PM. Initially, the fire was small, and an attempt was made to extinguish it by covering it with a piece of cloth; however, it spread rapidly in an instant. Suman Mia, a security guard at the factory, reported that shortly after 7:00 PM, they first noticed a glow from the fire in the northwest corner of the godown.

They quickly unlocked the door, discovered the fire inside, alerted everyone, and attempted to extinguish it using their own water supply. Junaid, who is in charge of security for the godown, stated that the main gate had been locked since 5:00 PM. It is generally kept locked, except when cotton needs to be removed. Upon receiving the news, M. A. Kaiyum, Chairman of Douhakhla Union in Gouripur, rushed to the scene from his office within 10–15 minutes.

Describing the intensity of the blaze, he said, “The temperature inside reached such an extreme level that the workers participating in the rescue efforts could not remain there. To endure the heat, one worker kept pouring water over another to keep him soaked.” He further noted that two fire service units—one from Gouripur and one from Ishwarganj—arrived initially but were unable to bring the fire under control. Regarding the firefighting operations, Md. Sultan Mia, the team leader currently in charge of the Gouripur Fire Service, stated that they received the report of the fire at 7:25 PM and arrived at the scene promptly to begin containment efforts.

After prolonged efforts, the fire was brought completely under control at 9:55 AM Wednesday. A total of nine Fire Service units—from Gouripur, Mymensingh, Ishwarganj, Netrokona, Madan, Nandail, and the Bangladesh Agricultural University—worked in coordination to extinguish the fire. The Fire Service has stated that a final report regarding the exact cause of the fire will be provided following an investigation.