Cotton warehouse gutted in Narayanganj after earthquake sparks electrical short circuit

Warehouse owner claims losses of at least Tk 8 million

A cotton warehouse in Narayanganj has been destroyed by fire caused by an electrical short circuit following the deadly earthquake, according to the Fire Service.

The incident occurred around 10:45am in Kuripara of Bandar Upazila, said Abdullah Al Arefin, deputy assistant director of the Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence.

He added that the fire broke out shortly after the tremor was felt across different parts of Bangladesh.

Five Fire Service units brought the blaze under control after three hours of efforts.

Businessman Julhas Mia, who owns the warehouse, estimated the losses at around Tk 8 million.

The earthquake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi.

Meanwhile, in Golakandail of Rupganj Upazila, a wall of a building collapsed during the quake, killing a 10-month-old child and injuring her mother and another person.

Rupganj Police chief Tarikul Islam said the dead child, identified only as Fatema, was the daughter of a businessman based in Shyambazar, Dhaka.