The Mohammadpur Krishi Market, where the fire broke out, housed approximately 350 small, medium, and large shops. Much of this space has been reduced to ashes due to the intensity of the flames.
Traders are in shock as they watch their livelihoods go up in smoke, but they are making every effort to salvage what they can.
Many traders have expressed frustration over the slow response to control the fire, which ultimately led to the blaze engulfing the entire market. The estimated losses run into crores of taka, with the fire likely originating from an electrical short circuit, according to traders.
Seventeen fire service teams worked to bring the fire under control, and while the flames have subsided, the effort to extinguish them completely continues.
Shahjalal, a trader, lamented the situation, revealing that most Krishi Market traders rely on bank loans and financial institutions to sustain their businesses. He said: "I couldn't save anything from my shop; everything has turned to ashes. The devastation is beyond words."
Another trader, Rafiqul Islam, managed to salvage a few products, but the majority were lost to the fire. He noted that the delayed arrival of news about the fire exacerbated the situation, resulting in significant losses.
As a concerned crowd gathered at the scene, some individuals attempted to salvage goods from the shops. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed to prevent theft and provide security. They are also facilitating the safe removal of traders' goods.
Mohammadpur police station Officer-in-Charge Mahfuzur Rahman stated that the police are supporting the fire service in their efforts to control the fire and are addressing security concerns in the area.
The Inter-Services Public Relations Department (ISPR) announced that the fire-fighting teams from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force have joined efforts with the fire service to combat the blaze at the Mohammadpur Krishi Market. Additionally, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed to assist in rescue operations.
