A fire in Bandarban has left nearly 80 houses completely burnt.
The incident was reported on Saturday from the hill district town’s Madhyampara.
Fire Service Assistant Director Md Iqbal Hossain said it took them nearly two hours to put out the flames at the local Marma Bazar and the slum adjacent to it.
Initial assessments say at least 80 homes were gutted, according to him.
Locals said the fire started after a cooking gas cylinder exploded at one Mridul Barua’s home. The fire spread immediately to the adjacent homes.
The Bandarban fire service joined by the local police and army unit managed to put out the flames two hours later after it erupted in the early afternoon.