At least 23 shops were gutted in a fire that broke out at Mahalchhari market in Khagrachhari in the wee hours of today.
Mohammad Zaker Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Khagrachhari Fire Service, said a fire unit from the district headquarters was dispatched to the scene after the blaze was reported via the national emergency helpline 999 at 12:40am.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 5:00am after frantic efforts, he added.
"All the shops in the market were closed when the fire broke out. The power supply to the area was also cut off due to heavy rain and lightning. It is suspected that the blaze may have started from a lightning strike on one of the kutcha shops," Zaker Hossain said.
He said the operation took longer due to a lack of nearby water sources. "No casualties were reported as the shops were closed at the time," he added.
The extent of the damage could not be determined immediately.
FP/MI
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