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Over 200 shops burnt down in Krishi Market blaze


Published : 14 Sep 2023 10:01 PM

At least 217 shops burnt down in the devastating fire that broke out at Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Krishi Market early Thursday, said Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Selim Raza.

“We allocated space for 317 shops in the market but among these, 217 were damaged by the fire,” he said while talking to reporters.

“We have prepared a list of affected shop owners and we will assist them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Anisur Rahman, said a list of affected traders at the market will be prepared and assistance will be provided following the list from the government.

A committee will be formed to look into the fire incident, he said.

The massive fire broke out at the market around 3:43 am and spread soon, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters (Media Cell).

Seventeen firefighting units are working to fully douse the blaze. It was brought under control around 9:25 am.

Several hundred traders at Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Krishi Market are lamenting losing goods worth several crores of taka in the massive fire.

Thursday is the weekly holiday for the market and all traders went to their respective homes closing their shops at night.

After learning about the fire early today, the traders started thronging the market — only to see their shops and goods burn.

Saiful Islam Sharif, a trader of the market said, “I have two shops in the market. Of these, one is rented while the other is my own. I reached the spot early this morning but I couldn't do anything. My shops have just turned into ashes. There were clothes worth Tk one crore in my shops.”

Sharif also said he left Tk 6 lakh in the cash box of the shop, and that too is now gone.

The massive fire broke out at the market around 3:43 am and spread soon, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters (Media Cell).

Seventeen firefighting units are working to fully douse the blaze. It was brought under control around 9:25 am.

No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report.

Traders at the site said that there were 500 shops in the market.

Senior Station Officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters (Media Cell), said that WASA, Bangladesh Air Force, Army, Navy, BGB, and police  assisted the fire service men.