At least 50 shops were gutted in a massive fire broke out in a market in Khulna city early Wednesday.
According to the Fire Service, the blaze started in one shop around 5:40 AM and quickly spread to neighboring stores, engulfing a wide section of the market.
Nine firefighting units from various stations responded to the scene and managed to control the fire after about 90 minutes of intense efforts. However, the exact cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage remain unclear.
The burnt shops included that of cosmetics, clothes, shoes, bags and other products.
The traders, many of whom had invested in stock ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, expressed deep distress, as the fire destroyed their businesses, shattering their hopes for the upcoming holiday season.
Kotwali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Hawladar Sanowar Hossain Masum said they visited the scene and it was still unclear whether it was a fire incident or sabotage.
