10 mobile phone shops gutted in Khulna market fire

At least 10 mobile phone shops were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out at Baitun Noor Shopping Centre adjacent to New Market in Khulna city late Monday night. The fire erupted around 11:00pm and was brought under control after nearly an hour of frantic efforts by six units of the Fire Service. According to traders, the blaze originated at about 11:10pm from a mobile phone shop inside the market. As the flames spread rapidly, local shopkeepers and residents immediately informed the fire service.

Responding swiftly, six firefighting units from Boyra and Tutpara fire stations rushed to the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after around 40 minutes of effort. Officials of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence said ten shops were damaged in the incident, most of them mobile phone outlets. Of these, two shops were extensively damaged, while goods in one shop were completely burnt to ashes.

Deputy Director of Khulna Fire Service Md Abdul Malek said the fire was fully controlled around 1:10am. The fire is primarily suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit. The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the losses will be determined after further investigation, he added. He said electrical and internet cables in front of the market were also burnt.