A fire has once again ravaged the Bolipara Bazar area under Thanchi upazila in Bandarban district.
The blaze reportedly started small hours of Sunday and quickly spread throughout the market within moments.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be known, several local traders said the flames were first spotted at a food shop owned by one Sunil Soudagor.
Upon receiving the news, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from the nearby Bolipara battalion rushed to the scene and, with the help of army personnel, police, and locals, began efforts to bring the fire under control.
Thanchi fire station chief Peyar Mohammad said that they received an emergency call around 2:15am and rushed to the scene. After about an hour and a half of effort, the fire was brought under control.
A total of 13 shops were completely gutted in the blaze, he added.
He further said that the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are now being assessed.
Bolipara Union Parishad Chairman Jia Aung Marma said that an initial assessment of the damage has already begun, and both the upazila and district administrations have been informed of the incident.
Earlier, on March 22, 2023, a similar fire at Bolipara Bazar destroyed 58 shops and houses.
