A devastating fire gutted more than 50 shops, with some properties worth Tk8 crore, at Shaheberhut under Agoiljhara upazila in Barisal on Sunday.
Fertiliser dealers, stationers, grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, studios, pharmacies, building suppliers and residential houses.
Fire Service sources said at least 51 shops gutted and the losses caused by the fire were between Tk5 -7 crore. The businessmen claimed their losses were about Tk8 crore.
Bishwajit Haldar, secretary of Saheberhut Bazaar Committee, said the fire was started by an electric short-circuit at a tailor’s shop, named Student Tailors, around 8:30pm
Ainul Islam, station manager of Gournadi Fire Service Station, said fire service units from Gournadi and Ujirpur reached the scene around 9:15pm and brought the flames under control by 1am.
Agoiljhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Abul Kalam Talukdar, said a probe committee would be formed to investigate the incident. Upazila Project Implementation Officer Shachindranath Boidya said a fund would be set up immediately to facilitate the rehabilitation of the victims.