A devastating fire gutted at least 33 houses in a fishing village (Jele Para) in Kutubdia upazila of Cox's Bazar early Friday.
The fire broke out around 2:00am early Friday at Jele Para in Ali Akbar Deil union and spread rapidly through the densely populated row of houses.
Two fire units responded to the scene at 2:32am and brought the blaze under control around 5:00am with the assistance of local residents, said Kutubdia Fire Service Station Officer Sohel Ahmed.
Preliminary investigations indicate the fire originated from a kitchen stove at the residence of Dedar Joldas.
The fire destroyed 33 tin-shed and thatched houses belonging to local fishermen and their families.
Akhtar Kamal Sikder, Ali Akbar Deil Union Parishad Acting Chairman, said local authorities inspected the spot and notified the upazila administration to provide emergency relief and assistance to the affected families.