Fire Destroys Jute Godown and Shops in Rajbari's Baliakandi

A massive fire tore through Baharpur Bazar in Baliakandi Upazila, Rajbari early Monday, destroying a jute godown, grocery stores, two pharmacies, a rice mill and part of an electronics shop.

The fire broke out around 2:40 am. Locals spotted the flames and alerted the fire service which sent a team from Baliakandi Fire Station to the scene. After nearly two hours of effort the firefighters brought the blaze under control.

The jute godown was completely destroyed, with all stored jute reduced to ashes. The grocery store's goods were also burnt while the rice mill suffered extensive damage with most of its equipment destroyed. Both pharmacies were gutted, and part of a nearby electronics shop was also damaged.

Once the fire was controlled the shop owners began clearing burnt goods from the wreckage and particularly from the jute godown and grocery store.

The exact financial loss remains unknown but affected traders say they have suffered heavy losses.

Baliakandi Fire Service Sub-Officer Md. Salauddin said his team responded immediately upon receiving the report and worked for nearly two hours to bring the fire under control. He noted that the fire's cause has not yet been confirmed but described its intensity as severe.

Officials said the cause of the fire and full extent of the damage will be confirmed after an investigation.