At least 13 shops were completely gutted in a devastating fire that broke out at Bolipara Bazar in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban early Wednesday, with traders estimating losses at more than Tk1.5 crore.
The Fire Service initially suspected an electrical short circuit may have caused the blaze, which broke out at around 4am and was brought under control shortly after 5am.
Eyewitnesses said the market’s night guard spotted the fire at around 4am and raised the alarm, waking people nearby and informing the Fire Service.
Thanchi Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Officer Mohidul Islam Mridha said Fire Service personnel, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members rushed to the scene after receiving information.
With the help of local residents, they brought the fire under control after about an hour of effort.
Traders, however, suspected that an explosion involving a refrigerator or gas cylinder at one of the shops may have sparked the blaze.
Bolipara Union Chairman Zia Aung Marma said traders usually close their shops at night and return home. As no traders were present when the fire broke out, they could not salvage any goods. He said the upazila administration had been informed of the incident.
According to the Bolipara Bazar Committee, shops owned by Ripon Jyoti Chakma, Pradip Chakma, Baduram Tripura, Chikanya Chakma, Parvin Aktar, Sathowai Marma, Shongkharaj Chakma, Nihar Bindu Chakma, Pronij Chakma, Unuching Marma, Madhu Mangal Chakma, Kajol Karmakar and Abu Bakkar Sawdagor were completely destroyed.
Affected shopkeeper Nihar Bindu Chakma said he had locked his shop and returned home as usual the previous night.
After receiving news of the fire, he rushed to the market and found everything inside his shop reduced to ashes.
Meanwhile, BGB Headquarters said in a press release that personnel from its 38th Battalion, stationed near the market, joined the firefighting operation immediately after the blaze broke out.
The battalion is also working to provide assistance and rehabilitation support to those affected, the release said.
