Teknaf, Sept 2 (V7N) – A massive fire broke out at New Jamal Market in Teknaf’s Hnila bus station area on Tuesday night, burning or damaging around 10 to 15 shops. The blaze, which reportedly originated at a paint shop, was brought under control at around 10:30 pm.
The fire broke out shortly after 8:00 pm on September 1 and quickly spread to adjoining shops. According to local residents and eyewitnesses, the blaze originated from a paint shop inside the market, where flammable materials were stored.
The fire engulfed several businesses, including an electronics showroom, clothing shops and other commercial establishments. A Walton showroom and a branch of Grameen Bank were also located in the complex.
Local traders said the fire spread so rapidly that they had little time to remove goods from their shops. As a result, large quantities of merchandise were destroyed.
One trader said the situation became devastating within minutes after the fire was first noticed.
“Everything was destroyed before our eyes. We suddenly heard people shouting that a fire had broken out at the paint shop at the back of the market. Before we could understand what was happening, the flames had spread throughout the market. All the goods at the Walton and Vision showrooms were burnt,” he said.
Upon receiving the news, fire service teams from Teknaf and Ukhia rushed to the scene and began efforts to bring the blaze under control with assistance from local residents.
Ukhia Fire Service Station Master Dollar Tripura said several fire service personnel were working to contain the fire and that teams from both Ukhia and Teknaf were present at the scene.
Teknaf Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Officer Dewan Azad Hossain said firefighters reached the scene shortly after receiving the alert and began tackling the blaze.
“The fire spread rapidly because flammable materials, including paint, were stored in one of the shops. Our personnel are working from several directions to bring the fire under control,” he said.
He added that no casualties had been reported so far.
The acting chairman of Hnila Union Parishad, Md Ali, said he went to the scene after learning about the fire and was assisting local residents and firefighters in the firefighting efforts.
He said the initial damage could amount to several crore taka, although the exact extent of the losses would be determined after the fire was completely extinguished and an assessment was carried out.
The fire was brought under control at around 10:30 pm, according to the latest information. The exact cause of the fire and the total extent of the damage have not yet been established.
Authorities are expected to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the fire and assess the financial losses.
END/MSI/SMA/
