Gopalganj pump water ignites, prompting calls for experts

Locals in Kotalipara, Gopalganj claimed that gas is coming out with the water and demanded an expert team investigate.

Kotalipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saif-ul-Arefin informed that he will inspect the matter on site and take next steps on Friday.

Locals said hardware businessman Kamrul Sheikh installed a 280-foot-deep submersible pump about a year ago to supply water to various fish transport vehicles at Bhasai Market in Bandhabari Union of the upazila.

For the last one week, less water was coming up through the pump. In this situation, out of curiosity, Kamrul held a gas lighter to the mouth of the pump’s pipe on Wednesday night. At that time, a fire blazed up. As the incident spread, people crowded in front of his shop.

On Thursday as well, a crowd of people was seen in front of Kamrul’s shop. At their request, Kamrul occasionally turned on the pump and held a gas lighter to the mouth of the pipe to show the ignition of fire. Locals demanded quickly bringing an expert team to examine the pump. Their question is whether there is genuinely a gas reserve underground there.

Kamrul said, “I installed this 280-foot deep submersible pump a year ago to supply water to various fish trucks. Since very little water was coming up for the past week, last night, Wednesday, when I held a gas lighter to the head of the pump’s pipe, a fire blazed up. As this news spread in the area, curious local people came and crowded in front of my shop.”