At least 15 shops were gutted in a fire that broke out at a market in Tongi of Gazipur on Thursday night.
The fire broke out at Sofurun Nesa Market in the Tongi Bazar area, and six units of the Fire Service brought the blaze under control after about one and a half hours of effort.
According to Fire Service officials and local traders, the market shops had closed after 10 pm.
Local people noticed smoke coming from inside the tin-roofed structure of the market around 10:45 pm, and the fire quickly spread across the market.
After receiving the information, four units from Tongi Fire Service first reached the spot and started working to control the fire.
As the intensity of the blaze increased, two more units from Uttara joined the operation.
Traders said at least 15 shops were burnt in the fire, causing extensive losses.
Tongi Fire Service senior official Iqbal Hossain said the fire is initially suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit.
He said the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage will be confirmed after an investigation.
