At least 50 shops have been gutted by a massive fire in Noakhali’s Chowmuhani.
No casualties have been reported in connection with Friday’s incident.
Shop owners, businessmen, and traders claimed tens of millions in losses after the blaze swept through the main commercial market place at Chowmuhani in Noakhali.
A fire broke out on the East side of the market around 6:30am on Friday (Jun 7).
The blaze then engulfed adjoining shops. Plastic items, crockery products, cosmetics, garments, and book shops had been housed in the market.
An Islami Bank branch situated right next to the shops was fortunate to have avoidedthe fire’s reach.
Chowmuhani Market Management Committee President Kabir Ahmed said: "It was early in the morning when black smoke was detected from a crockery shop located in the station area. Within minutes, the fire spread through adjacent shops."
It took three hours for eight firefighting units to douse the flames around 9am, said Maizde Fire Service's Assistant Director Humayun Kabir.
After an initial investigation, he said an electrical short-circuit might have sparked the blaze, but more details would be available following a thorough investigation.