Moving ferry catches fire

A fire broke out on Ro-Ro ferry Begum Rokeya near Majhirkandi channel while heading towards Majhirkandi Ghat in Shariatpur on Saturday morning.

There were around 50 people and 36 vehicles on the ferry during the fire incident but no causalities were reported.

"Damages were prevented through the timely use of fire extinguishing equipment and water pump," said Shafiqul Islam, Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority at the Shimulia Ghat.

BIWTC authority has said that the fire originated from a locked room inside the ferry's canteen.

"Nothing serious happened except a little burn on the canteen's ceiling. The Marine Department of BIWTC has inspected the spot. The ceiling of the canteen will be repaired later. At present, the ferry is being operated on Shimulia-Majhirkandi route," said Shafiqul.