A women’s madrasa in Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj was completely destroyed in a fire late Monday night, leaving its authorities counting heavy losses and fearing disruption to students’ education.
According to police and madrasa sources, the fire broke out around 2:00 am at the Unshia Talimul Quran Nurali Mohila Madrasa in Amtali union. The blaze quickly engulfed the entire structure, reducing it to ashes.
Madrasa authorities have initially estimated the damage at around Tk 7 lakh, with all assets inside the institution destroyed.
Maulana Arsadul Islam, the mohattamim (principal) of the madrasa, said that 85 female students study at the institution and had returned home after night prayers before the incident occurred.
“Around 2:00 am, I heard people shouting and rushed to the madrasa. I saw the rooms engulfed in flames. We immediately informed the fire service, but before they arrived, everything had already been burned to ashes,” he said.
He added that the madrasa currently does not have the funds to rebuild the damaged facilities.
“We have suffered losses of nearly Tk 7 lakh. Without rebuilding the rooms quickly, the education of 85 students will be at risk. We appeal to public representatives and the administration for assistance,” he said.
Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire.
