Fire hazards rise in Arakan State during open season

By Admin 22 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

22 December 2025, Pauktaw

Residents in Arakan Army-controlled townships of Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Gwa and Buthidaung in Arakan State say greater attention is needed to fire hazards during the current open season, after at least four fires were reported in December.

On the night of December 20, a fire broke out at a shop on Strand Road in Kyauktaw, destroying at least four shops, including a gold shop, a bookstore and a restaurant.

“The fire started at 12:36 a.m. on December 20 when a solar system battery installed on the west side of Shwe Min Yarzar Gold Shop caught fire. The estimated loss is over K1 billion,” said a Kyauktaw resident.

He added that Aung Thu Kha Pharmacy had not received medicines recently, books and literature had not arrived at Myat Ta Khun Stationery Shop, and that Shwe Min Yarzar Gold Shop had a large amount of stock. He also warned that the use of gasoline by goldsmiths could easily cause fires.

On December 16, a fire broke out in Ward No. 1 of Pauktaw Township, destroying a house. On the night of December 19, another fire broke out at Buthidaung Myoma Market, destroying more than 30 shops.

On December 15, fires were reported in Yahai Kudoe Village and Chan Thar Gyi Ward in Gwa Township, destroying two houses.

All of the fires were reportedly caused by negligence and occurred at least four times in Arakan State during December.

Locals said that with the open season approaching, special attention must be paid to fire hazards.

“With the arrival of the open season, it is necessary to take special care with remaining firewood and solar electric lights. We are now seeing more losses due to fire. Fire is one of the five enemies. It destroys everything. Therefore, the United League of Arakan authorities also need to provide fire education, and people need to follow it,” said a young Arakanese man.

The ULA said that despite erecting fire hazard awareness signs and village administrations warning residents to be especially careful, compliance on the ground remains limited.

According to figures collected by DMG, at least 15 fires have occurred in areas controlled by the Arakan Army from January 2025 to this December.