Rangamati, May 21 (V7N) – A devastating fire at the Greater Muslim Block Bazar market in Baghaichhari Municipality, Rangamati, has completely destroyed thirty shops. The blaze, which reportedly originated from a clothing store owned by Alamgir, erupted around 1:00 AM on Wednesday.While an electrical short circuit is suspected as the cause, locals have described the incident as mysterious, hinting at potential suspicions.

The absence of a fire station in the upazila significantly hampered immediate firefighting efforts. The fire was eventually brought under control after an hour and a half, thanks to the combined efforts of local residents, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members.

The fire completely gutted over 30 establishments, including grocery stores, clothing outlets, pharmacies, and tea stalls. Officials estimate the damage to be around Tk 1.5 crore (15 million BDT).

Upon receiving news of the fire, the Officer-in-Charge of Baghaichhari Police Station and senior BGB officials promptly visited the scene to assess the situation.

Affected business owners and local residents have expressed significant anger and frustration over the lack of a fire station. Despite land being acquired for its construction in 2018 in response to demands from upazila residents, construction has yet to begin, even after seven long years. The incident highlights a long-standing need for improved fire safety infrastructure in the area.

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