A devastating fire in Baishari Bazar burned down 7 shops, including various goods warehouses.
Daily Bijoy News, Naikhongchhari (Bandarban) Correspondent:
Seven shops, including a goods warehouse, were destroyed in a devastating fire at Baishari Bazar in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban. The affected shop owners reported that the estimated loss is around fifty lakh taka. The incident occurred around 2 AM on Wednesday in the market adjacent to the Hafez Khana on the eastern side of Baishari Bazar.
The affected shops include: Md. Shahidullah's grocery store, Jasim Uddin Prakash Kiran Mala's rubber warehouse (which also stored rice, gas, and acid), Dhalu Mia's tea stall, Nurul Alam's Cooling Corner, Abdur Shukkur's furniture shop, Md. Shahidullah's goods warehouse, and Jasim's rice warehouse. The shop owners stated that they have incurred losses worth crores of taka.
An eyewitness, market guard Hakim Ali, reported that he first saw the fire inside Jasim Uddin's rubber warehouse in Baishari Bazar and immediately informed the Baishari Bazar President, Abdul Karim Bantu. Upon being informed, Bantu promptly announced the news to the local residents through the market mosque's loudspeaker. At that time, local residents and business owners rushed to the scene and continued efforts to extinguish the fire. Later, the Naikhongchhari Fire Service station was informed, and they joined the firefighting efforts. Their intervention helped control the fire and save over a hundred shops in Baishari Bazar. During this time, a team of police from the Baishari Police Investigation Center, led by In-Charge Anwarul Islam, joined the efforts to ensure market security and assist in firefighting.
Market President Abdul Karim Bantu stated that the initial assumption is that the fire originated from a mosquito coil. Shahidul Alam, the In-Charge of the Naikhongchhari Fire Service station, mentioned that upon receiving the immediate news, he joined the firefighting operation at the market. The fire is now under control. Anwarul Alam, the In-Charge of the Baishari Investigation Center, said that upon receiving the news, they immediately went to the scene and continued efforts to extinguish the fire while ensuring security. The matter has been reported to higher authorities.
Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Mazharul Islam Chowdhury stated that he is aware of the incident and that a list of the affected shops is being prepared to be reported to higher authorities for financial assistance.
Daily Bijoy News / M. Habibur Rahman Roni
