A fire has gutted two shops on the first floor of Dhaka University Market in Katabon area.
A total of two fire units doused the fire around 9:30PM on Sunday, said Saiful Islam, commanding officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence Station in Palashi.
The building does not have any fire fighting equipment, he added.
The fire originated at the warehouse of “Spondon Award” and immediately engulfed its next to the door showroom.
The fire broke out around 8:30pm, the official said, adding: "The fire was originated from a laser machine, which was running without an operator."
Fire service members seen trying to bring the fire under control in Dhaka University Market in Kataban area on Sunday | Dhaka Tribune
The damage caused by the fire is around Tk10 lakh, he added.
Rezaul Karim, owner of the shops, said that he went to a nearby Mosque for his prayers. “The laser machine worth Tk6 lakh has completely damaged."
Treasurer of the market's Owners Association Bazlur Rahman Shikder said: “We have informed the university authorities about storing and using of heavy machinery on the first floor of the building, but they never took it seriously, hence such incident occurred.”
An eyewitness Miraj, who works at the market, said: “The fire originated from shop 274.
