Barishal Correspondent :
A fire broke out at Barguna Municipal Super Market on early Wednesday burnt more than 150 shops, houses and partially damaged 50 others. Five people were seriously injured in the blaze and are being treated at the Sadar Hospital in Barguna.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started from a clothing and net store of the market around 11:30 pm on Tuesday.
Assistant Director (AD) of Fire Service and Civil Defense Patuakhali and Barguna Zone Zakir Hossain confirmed the matter.
The fire service was able to put out the fire by working five units of Barguna and Patuakhali with the help of others after about four hours.
An investigation committee will be formed to find out the cause of the fire. This committee will be able to know the exact amount of damage and the cause and source of fire, he said.
Jahangir Ahmed, deputy assistant director (AAD) of Barguna Fire Service Station, told that two units of Barguna, one from Betagir, one from Amtali and one from Patuakhali’s Mirzaganj worked to extinguish and control the fire. However, the damage has not been determined yet.
Five units of Fire Service, forces of Barguna Sadar Police, District Detective Police (DB), and volunteers of Red Crescent Society, Municipal Officers-Employees, Members of Municipal Market Owners Association, Members of Ambulance Association, Social Organization Durbar and common people have worked to control the flame till Wednesday early morning.
Barguna Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ali Ahmed told the police rushed to the spot and assisted the fire service in maintaining security and controlling the fire in the area. Several locals, including a volunteer, were injured in the blaze. They are being rescued and treated.
Among the victims, a businessman named Abdul Salam told that at least 150 shops were burnt and 50 others damaged in the fire loosing properties worth cores of taka. We do not seem to be able to overcome this loss.
Market businessmen association president Nasir Uddin told the whole of their market was burnt down by the fire. No one could save anything. The fire has caused loss of crores of taka.
