A tourist houseboat caught fire in Tanguar Haor on Friday night, prompting the dramatic rescue of 12 tourists who escaped unharmed, officials said.

The blaze broke out around 8:15 pm in the Niladri Lakepar area of Tahirpur upazila in Sunamganj district, according to local authorities.

“After the fire erupted, the tourists took shelter in a nearby boat and were safely evacuated,” said Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abul Hashem. “The boat was completely burnt, but all 12 tourists escaped injury.”

Tahirpur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Delwar Hossain said the houseboat was equipped with a generator used to charge mobile phones.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have started after a phone exploded while charging, he added.

Police visited the scene shortly after the incident. No casualties were reported, and the tourists are expected to leave the area on Saturday morning, the officer added.

Damage from the fire is estimated at around Tk 22 lakh.

SMS/