Gas erupts from tube well pit in Netrokona

A village in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona has witnessed an unusual phenomenon as gas started erupting from a tube well pit.

Residents even used the gas for cooking for two days before stopping due to safety concerns at the home of farmer Abul Kashem in Uttarpara village of Rangchhati union of the upazila. Curious locals have been flocking to the site daily to witness the incident.

The 260-foot-deep tube well, installed five years ago, started making unusual hissing sounds shortly after installation, particularly at night.

Fed up with the noise, Kashem recently removed the well and detected a gas odour coming from the pipe. To confirm, the he held a lit match near the pipe, which instantly ignited a flame.

For the next two days, the gas was used for cooking, but fearing a potential accident, they have since stopped.

Kashem said, “There was always an unusual noise from the well, especially at night. A few days ago, we lit a match, and it caught fire. We even cooked with it for two days, but stopped because of the risk.”

Mozammel Haque, a former union council member, warned that using the gas without proper testing could lead to a major accident. “The area should be secured, and Bapex should be informed,” he said.

Ashraful Islam, officer-in-charge of Kalmakanda Fire Service, “We inspected the site and warned locals to be cautious. Improper use could cause a serious accident. The administration has been notified.”