Four shops were gutted in a midnight fire at the Singair Bus Stand area in Manikganj, causing an estimated loss of around Tk12 lakh.
The fire broke out around 12am on late Wednesday in a shop cluster near the bus stand. The blaze destroyed a sweet shop, a mobile recharge shop, a confectionery shop and one other shop, burning goods worth lakhs. No casualties were reported.
On information, two units of Singair Fire Service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 12:50am with the help of locals. Firefighters also managed to save an ATM booth and nearby structures from being damaged.
Fire Service officials said the fire is believed to have originated from an electrical short circuit. Although the exact extent of the loss is yet to be confirmed, preliminary estimates put the damage at around Tk12 lakh. However, affected traders claimed losses of nearly Tk15 lakh.
Local resident Anwar Kazai alleged that repeated calls to the Fire Service went unanswered after the fire broke out. He said firefighters were later informed by visiting the station on a motorcycle.
However, Singair Fire Service Station Officer-in-Charge Mohibur Rahman rejected the allegation. He said they may have dialled a wrong number and added that there is no scope for negligence in their service. He also said the matter would be investigated if any specific complaint is found.
Singair Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khairun Nahar visited the spot and spoke with affected traders. She assured them of necessary support.
