Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat Correspondent

A devastating fire triggered by a lightning strike has left a poor family homeless in Dori Umajuri village of Chitalmari upazila, Bagerhat.

The victim, Ananda Mistry (39), lived with his wife Lopa Halder (33) and their 10-year-old daughter Sangeeta Mistry, a fifth-grade student. They were residing in a rented house owned by Shubhankar Roy for only BDT 1,000 per month.

According to family sources, they had gone to their in-laws’ house in Gajalia village due to a family bereavement. During their absence, around 12:30 AM, a lightning strike hit their house amid heavy rain, instantly igniting a fire.

All household belongings—including a sewing machine, electric fan, gas cylinder and stove, bedding, utensils, cash money, gold ornaments, and the child’s school books—were completely burned to ashes.

Due to bad weather and distance, the family could not return immediately. Upon arrival in the morning, they found nothing but ashes where their home once stood.

The most heartbreaking moment came from their daughter Sangeeta, who tearfully said, “How will I go to school now? All my books and clothes are gone.”

The Chitalmari upazila administration, led by UNO Khadija Akter, provided emergency dry food assistance and assured further support. She also urged affluent members of society to stand beside disaster-affected families.

Awareness Note:

Experts emphasize the importance of lightning protection systems, avoiding open areas during storms, and disconnecting electrical appliances to reduce such risks.