A fire early Friday gutted 11 shops, including seven completely destroyed, at Koraish Munshi Bazar in Rajapur Union under Daganbhuiyan Upazila, causing an estimated loss of Tk 2.5 crore, traders said.
The fire broke out around 8:30am on February 20 at a two-star hotel in the market area. According to local residents and fire service officials, flames from a gas stove quickly spread to nearby shops due to the presence of flammable goods.
Locals initially tried to control the blaze, but it soon went out of control. Firefighters later brought the fire under control after about one hour of joint efforts.
A total of four fire service units—three from Feni Fire Service and one from Senbag Upazila—responded to the incident and helped douse the flames with assistance from local people.
The affected shops included grocery stores, electronics outlets and warehouses. Traders said large amounts of cash, furniture and merchandise were destroyed.
Kamal Uddin, owner of Molla Store, said goods worth about Tk 1.5 crore stored in his warehouse were burned. “Everything has been destroyed. I am helpless, especially as this happened ahead of Ramadan. I am seeking government support,” he said.
Deputy Director of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, Abdullah Harun Pasha, confirmed that 11 shops were affected. He said an investigation is under way to determine the exact cause and final damage. “It is not yet clear whether the fire was caused by a gas stove or an electrical short circuit,” he added.
The incident has left traders in distress and cast a pall over the area. Affected business owners again demanded the establishment of a fire service station in Daganbhuiyan, saying the lack of nearby facilities worsens fire risks.
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