Two BRTC buses torched in Noakhali

Two BRTC passenger buses were set on fire late Wednesday night at the Sonapur depot in Noakhali.

The arson took place around 2:30am when unidentified miscreants allegedly ignited the vehicles, leaving them completely destroyed.

According to witnesses, upon noticing the flames inside the depot, they immediately alerted the fire service. Two units from the Maijdee Fire Station reached the spot promptly and brought the fire under control within ten minutes.

However, due to the foam-filled body structure, the fire spread rapidly, burning the two buses—Gulbahar and Maloti, which operated on the Noakhali Science and Technology University route—beyond repair. Another bus suffered partial damage.

BRTC Sonapur depot manager Md. Arifur Rahman Tushar, who visited the site, claimed the incident was an act of sabotage. “Today was supposed to be my transfer day. The officer designated to replace me is unwilling to join. I suspect this arson was carried out intentionally to obstruct the transfer process,” he alleged.

He added that local colleagues and residents have always been supportive, even during times of political unrest. “This is not the work of ordinary people; it is a planned crime,” he said.

Assistant Director of Noakhali Fire Service Md. Farid Ahmed stated that the fire was brought under control shortly after the emergency call was received at 2:40am. Two buses were fully gutted, and one sustained partial damage. “The exact cause of the fire can only be determined after investigation,” he added.