Fire guts 35 shops at Khagrachhari market

A fire broke out early today (27 March) at Boalkhali Market in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari, destroying at least 35 shops and causing preliminary losses estimated at several crores of taka.

Affected establishments included clothing stores, jewellery shops, pharmacies, and electronics outlets.

Pankaj Barua, in-charge of Dighinala Fire Station, said an electrical short circuit might have caused the blaze.

He also noted that damage assessment would begin once the fire was fully contained.

Locals said the fire started around 3am and spread rapidly due to flammable materials.

Four firefighting units from Dighinala and Khagrachhari Sadar, along with army and police personnel and locals, battled the blaze.

The fire was brought under control around 6am after nearly three hours.

Fire Service personnel work to contain the late-night fire at Boalkhali Market. Photo: TBS

Traders said the fire spread so fast that few could save their goods, resulting in the destruction of businesses built over the years.

They also pointed to the lack of firefighting facilities and nearby water sources as factors in the delayed containment.

Alamgir Hossain, general secretary of the Boalkhali New Market Management Committee, said 35 shops under the district council market fund were completely destroyed, with losses of at least Tk5 crore.

With the Boishabi festival approaching, many traders had recently stocked new goods, worsening potential financial hardship.

Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Anwar Sadat said he would visit the site and assured everyone that government support would be provided to the affected traders.