More than 100 shops were gutted in a devastating fire at Sreenagar Bazar of Munshiganj district early Friday.
The fire-affected shops were in Lungi Patti, Baina Patti, Mithai (sweetmeats) Patti, Dudh (milk) Patti, Seka Ruti Patti and Murgi (chicken) Patti.
Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Shafiqul Islam said that the fire started from a yogurt shop adjacent to Mithai Patti around 2AM and spread soon.
initially the night guards accompanied by others tried to douse the flame, they failed and sought help from Fire Service, he said.
Five firefighting units rushed to the spot and doused the flame after around six hours of efforts at 8AM, the fire service official said.
The cause of the fire could not be known yet, he said.
Manzurul Islam, owner of wholesale shop Anowar Bastra Bitan in the Lungi Patti, said he rushed from nearby Harpara village in an attempt to save his business but to no avail. “I lost lungis worth at least Tk 60 lakh.”
In the morning, Sreenagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mohin Uddin visited the scene and assured the victims that government assistance would be provided.
However, locals expressed their frustration, questioning how such extensive damage could occur despite the fire station’s proximity to the market.
HI/SH
