More than 200 shops and a hosiery factory located in two tin-shed markets in Narayanganj were gutted in a devastating fire early Wednesday. At least 10 people also sustained minor injuries in the accident when they tried to douse the fire. Huge readymade garments were stored in the shops of the markets ahead of Eid festival. There were over 400 shops in the markets. The extent of losses from the fire could not be assessed officially till filing the report on Wednesday evening. The affected shop owners however claimed that the extent of losses from the fire is about Tk 200 crore. According to locals, the fire started around 4:00 am from Suhrawardy tin-shed market in Deobhogh adjacent to Rail Gate 2 in the city and it soon engulfed the nearby Bhuiyan market, burning down over 100 shops and factories in the two markets. Sources of Fire Service said that the fire might have been originated from an electric short circuit in the tin-shed market. Momtaz Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that six fire fighting units from Dhaka and Narayanganj stations rushed to the spot soon and brought the blaze under control within 7:00 am after about three hours of frantic efforts with the help of local people. About extent of losses, the Fire Service official said that it could not be ascertained immediately. Manzur Quader, officer-in-charge of Narayangaj Model Thana, said that although the losses could not be assessed immediately, it would be very big. He said that they are preparing list of the affected shop owners of the markets. The affected shop owners urged the government to extend helping hands to them, as they lost all in the fire. They called upon the authorities to provide loan for running their business and waive the interest of their earlier loans. Meanwhile, president of Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry AKM Selim Osman announced Tk 25, 000 grant to each affected shop owner for running their business.
