At least 10 mobile phone shops were gutted in a fire that broke out at Baitun Noor Shopping Centre, adjacent to New Market in Khulna, late Monday night.
The fire reportedly originated at a mobile phone shop around 11:10pm and spread quickly through the market. Local traders and residents alerted the fire service.
Six units of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after about 40 minutes of effort.
Abdul Malek, deputy director of the Fire Service in Khulna, said the fire is initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
He said 10 to 12 shops are feared to have been damaged in the incident. The exact extent of the losses will be determined after assessment.
The official added that the age of the shops—estimated at 20 to 25 years—and possible issues related to electrical wiring renovation may have contributed to the incident.
