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Published : 15 Apr 2023, 08:22 AM
A massive fire broke out at New Super Market, a shopping place between the popular New Market and Dhaka College, on Saturday morning.
The fire started on the market's second floor at 5:45 am and spread to other floors, according to New Market Police Station chief Shafiqul Gani Sabu.
As many as 28 units of the fire service were battling the blaze, which was later brought under control, but will take some time before it is extinguished, according to Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, director general of the fire service.
Teams of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force joined forces with the fire service, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate.
Earlier, Bangladesh deployed 12 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh, a paramilitary force, to help bring the fire under control.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and no casualties were reported, said Shahjahan Sikder, assistant deputy director of the fire service.
Smoke engulfed the entire area as shopkeepers struggled to save their merchandise from the fire.
Saturday’s fire came 11 days after the Bangabazar fire that gutted thousands of shops.
The authorities have halted or diverted traffic around the Dhaka New Market and nearby areas, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
Traders wait for customers to return to makeshift shops at burnt-down Bangabazar
Bangabazar fire destroyed 3,845 shops, caused Tk 3.03bn damage: probe
22 BEING TREATED AT DMCH
At least 22 people are receiving treatment for injuries and illness after being caught in the fire and smoke at New Super Market.
Among them are store workers, firefighters, and Air Force personnel.
A team of doctors has been assembled to provide them with the necessary treatment, said Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, chief of the DMCH police outpost.
The injured have been identified as firefighters Rasel, 22, Shanto, 24, Toufiq, 23, Rajan, 25, Milon, 26, Sajib, 25, Ariful, 26, Kamruzzaman, 25, and Shariful, 24, store workers Rifat, 23, Bayezid, 25, Hassan, 20, Rimon, 28, Kamal Hossain, 33, Firoz Alam, 30, Jishan, 18, Yasin, 24, Jibon, 25, Swapan, 23, store owner Jibon, 30, Air Force Sgt Araft, 32, and Ansar member Shobuj, 20.
MARKETS CLOSED AFTER FIRE
Several markets near New Super Market, including Gausia, Nurjahan, Dhanmondi Hawkers, Nehar Bhavan Shopping Complex and Globe Shopping Complex, have been closed after the blaze broke out.
Traders said they have been told to shut down the shops amid a disruption in power supply. They have received no further instructions over the reopening of shops.
"Eid sales have just started and will peak in the last seven days of Ramadan. But two consecutive fires in the markets frightened the traders. They also have doubts and questions over the origin of the blazes,” said Md Shohag, owner of Ma Garments at Nurjahan Super Market.
“Everyone believes it’s an act of sabotage as the fire erupted in the market early on Sunday when nobody was there,” said Solaiman Mia, a trader from New Market.
FIRE SERVICE URGES PROBE INTO POSSIBLE SABOTAGE
Fire service chief Brig Gen Main Uddin said that an investigation would be needed into whether any of the recent fires were the result of sabotage.
“I urge law enforcers to investigate why so many fires are starting one after another,” he said.
Major fires are popping up every day, he said to the media after the fire at the New Super Market. The causes of these fires cannot be determined without a proper investigation, he said.
If the market committee and shop owners are aware of the danger and take action, accidents can be avoided, the fire chief said.
“It is currently the dry season and there is very little humidity in the air. Markets and stores often use lots of large, high-powered lights to make things look more appealing. They can cause fires.”
The director general urged people to be particularly cautious at night.
The Dhaka South City Corporation is currently demolishing the footbridge connecting the Gausia Market to Dhaka’s New Market.
Traders have alleged that the fire started during the demolition work. Main Uddin said the fire service has heard the reports and is investigating it.
