Fire destroys 13 shops at Bandarban’s Bolipara market
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A fire gutted 13 shops at Bolipara market in Thanchi, Bandarban on Wednesday morning.
Thanchi Fire Service and Civil Defense Station Officer Mohidul Islam Mridha confirmed the matter and said teams from the fire service, police, and BGB, alongside locals, brought the blaze under control around 5 am.
Although authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, officials suspect an electrical short circuit.
However, local traders suspect that a gas cylinder explosion inside one of the shops may have sparked the fire.
Bolipara UP Chairman Zia Aung Marma said market shopkeepers lock their establishments every night and return home. Because no one was present when the incident occurred, owners were unable to salvage any merchandise or goods from their stores.
Members of the Bolipara Market Committee confirmed that the shops belonging to Ripon Jyoti Chakma, Pradeep Chakma, Baduram Tripura, Chikanya Chakma, Parvin Aktar, Sathowai Marma, Shangkharaj Chakma, Nihar Bindu Chakma, Pronij Chakma, Unuching Marma, Madhu Mongol Chakma, Kajol Karmakar, and Abu Bakkar Sawdagor were completely destroyed.
They expressed concern that total financial damages could exceed Tk 1.5 crore.
BGB said the Bolipara Battalion (38 BGB) is providing assistance and rehabilitation support to the fire victims.
