A significant fire has devastated a bustling market in the heart of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, with hundreds of shops reduced to ashes. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties as the inferno raged through the area during the early hours of Thursday, before the stores had opened for the day.
Efforts to control the blaze were led by military personnel and firefighters, who worked tirelessly for six hours to bring the situation under control. The fire’s rapid spread within the Mohammadpur market was attributed to the presence of a substantial quantity of flammable materials, including cooking oil and plastics, according to officials.
Shahjahan Sikder, a fire service official, reported that there were no injuries or fatalities resulting from the fire. Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have been the root cause of the blaze.
Heartbreaking stories emerged from shop owners who lost their livelihoods in the devastating fire. One shop owner lamented, “My family was dependent on this shop, what to do now? All burnt to ashes,” in an interview with local media.
Fires are unfortunately commonplace in densely populated Dhaka, a city that has witnessed a construction boom in recent years, often lacking proper safety measures. Incidents involving faulty gas cylinders, air conditioners, and substandard electrical wiring frequently lead to fires and explosions.
In a distressing incident earlier this year, a fire broke out in a shopping complex in Dhaka, resulting in injuries to several firefighters and the complete destruction of approximately 5,000 stores. The recurring fire-related incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety standards and heightened awareness of fire prevention measures in the city.