A blaze erupted at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday in the wooden, three‑story Tuptup Resto and Resort near the Bay of Bengal, killing 10 people, including children, and leaving four injured.
The resort, a popular domestic‑tourist spot, collapsed into flames within minutes, according to Syed Mohammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defense in Cox's Bazar district.
Hossain said the fire spread rapidly through the structure, but the cause remains undetermined; no evidence of arson or faulty wiring has emerged yet.
Local officials reported that the resort housed 120 guests, yet evacuation was chaotic as guests fled to the beach.
Families of the victims are in shock; the mother of a six‑year‑old who perished is waiting for a formal statement from the district administration.
The district fire and civil defense will conduct a forensic investigation and review safety protocols for wooden buildings along the coast.
An official from the Ministry of Tourism is slated to visit Inani next week to assess damage and advise on future safety standards.