100 shops gutted in fire at two Chattogram markets

At least 100 shops were gutted as a massive fire engulfed Chattogram's Jahur Hawker and Shah Jalalabad markets early today. 

"The fire broke out at around 3:50am. We are suspecting it originated from electric short circuit," said Jashim Uddin, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Chattagram.  

"On information, four firefighting units rushed to the spots and doused the fire at around 9:30am after hours-long frantic efforts," he added.

Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, told The Business Standard, "The damage could not be ascertained immediately, but nearly 100 shops were gutted in two markets."

Kazi Abdul Aziz, president of Shah Jalalabad Market Merchant Association said, "In our market about 80 shops were gutted. The damage would be several crores of money."

Kazi Fuzlul Amin, organising secretary of Jahur Hawker Market Merchant Association said, "Around 20 shops were gutted from our market. We are trying to estimate the damage."

Selim Uddin, a shop owner of Shah Jalalabad Market, is crying as fire gutted his shop/TBS