A devastating fire tore through Boalkhali New Market in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari early Thursday, reducing at least 35 shops to ashes.
Traders have estimated losses at Tk4–5 crore. Local sources said the fire started in one of the market alleys around 3am and quickly spread to adjacent lanes, engulfing several businesses, including gold shops.
Firefighters from Dighinala and Khagrachhari battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control around 4:30am.
Alamgir Hossain, general secretary of Boalkhali Market Management Committee, confirmed the scale of the destruction and the preliminary loss estimate.
Pankaj Barua, acting officer of Dighinala Fire Service, said an electrical short circuit is suspected, with the exact cause and damage to be determined after investigation.
