Traders had their eyes on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to gain more profit this year, but the massive fire that gutted thousands of shops in Dhaka's Bangazar early on Tuesday, has turned their dreams into ashes.
“We are now beggars of the streets. We had three shops and three warehouses in Bangabazar. There was about Tk3 crore worth of goods in six shops and warehouses. There was Tk20 lakh in cash inside the shops,” said Jasimuddin, a wholesaler, in front of the Government Employee Hospital
“Everything has turned to ashes. Nothing is left, it's all over,” he said.
He also said that this incident caused irreparable damage to them just before Eid. “I can't say anything about where this fire originated from. I woke up at 6:15am and heard about the fire. Went to the location to see everything gone.”
The fire that took place in Dhaka's Bangabazar Market early on Tuesday, has been brought under control after over six hours of frantic efforts.
Shahjahan Shikder, officer-in-charge of the media wing of Fire Service and Civil Defence said the fire was brought under control at 12:36pm.
However, the fire was seen spreading to neighboring buildings as a result of strong winds. Flames could still be observed in various locations, but it is not anything grave.
At least eight people, including two members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, were injured while working to control the massive fire.
The injured are Rabiul Islam Antor, 30, Atiqul Rahman Rajon, 35, Niloy, 35, Shahin, 40, Ripon, 40, Rubel, 32, Dulal Mia, 60, Mehedi Hasan, 28.
Among them, Antor and Rajon are members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
The fire service received information about the fire at 6:10am on Tuesday and reached the spot at 6:12am, according to Rafi Al Faruk, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room.
