Fire guts 70 shops in Patuakhali New Market

At least 70 shops were gutted in a fire which broke out at a market in Patuakhali district town in the early hours of Thursday, UNB reports.

Mantaj Uddin, deputy director of Barishal Fire Service and Civil Defense, said the fire started at a shop in New Market and soon spread to other outlets.

It took six fire tenders nearly two hours to contain the blaze, the officer said. “Efforts are still on to completely douse the flames.”

Some 70 shops have been gutted in the fire, according to shopkeepers and residents.

A probe has been ordered to indentify the exact cause of the fire, said Mantaj.