M M Jasim :
A devastated fire has completely razed the Dhaka North City Corporation Market shattering hopes of hundreds of businessmen.
It occurred just two days after the Banani’s FR Tower inferno, which killed 26 people and injured hundreds.
The fire gutted 291 shops at the market, which also caught fire in 2017 forcing them to loss of their capital and others investment.
“We were trying to recoup our previous losses caused by the fire in 2017. We were running our business taking loans. Even our business was good. But, latest fire at the market shattered our hopes,” Mamun Alam, a wholesaler at the market, told The New Nation.
He said the fire incident ultimately makes him destitute.
Mamun rushed to the market after hearing the fire incident. But he failed to save anything from his two shops.
“I came here immediately hearing the news. When I reached the flame was getting to extinguish. I was helpless as I just saw that my shops and their goods were burning. I could not explain the pain from losing everything,” he added.
Mamun also said that he had to take loans from his relatives to get a fresh start of his business following the 2017 fire incident in the market. “It was my dream to become solvent and return the loans.
“But my dream is now over. The incident also casts dark shadow to my livelihood, ” he added.
Md Julhash Mia, owner of Mayer Doa Baniati Store, was seen crying besides ashes of his burned shop.
“My shop was full of goods. I loaded it with Tk 20 lakh ahead of the Ramzan. I was expecting a good business during Ramzan. I have also managed Tk 70,000 for buying more goods. But nothing remains today,” Julhash said.
Like Mamun, he also took loan from different sources. He was supposed to return it after selling of goods.
“I have lost everything and I have no another source of income. Now I embrace uncertain future,” Julhash said with a note of sorrow.
The Saturday’s fire at the market also brought miseries to many other traders. who mostly run shops like spices, vegetables and other daily necessities and managed to fight back against all odds after a fire at DNCC Market in 2017.
The cause of the latest fire at DNCC Market is yet to be known.
The authorities have formed a five-member investigation team, comprising officials of the Fire Department.
The body will submit its report within seven working days, said Major AKM Shakil Newaz, Director of Operations at the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil.
