Traders lose everything in fire, cash also burnt
The affected traders are now in extreme distress as more than a hundred shops were gutted in a horrific fire at Kalmilta Bazaar at Bijoy Sarani intersection in the capital. The victims said that many have become practically destitute as their shop goods were also burnt along with cash. After receiving the news of the fire early on Tuesday (May 19), 10 units of the fire brigade tried to control the fire for about two hours. However, by then most of the shops on the ground floor of the market had completely burnt down.
From the scene, it can be seen that only burnt wood, broken tin and debris are left inside the market. Some shop owners broke down in tears after losing their last belongings. Md. Mehedi Hasan (Roni), owner of meat shops at numbers 99, 100 and 101 of Kalmilta Bazaar, said, I was at the scene. I think the fire broke out due to a short circuit. Although the fire brigade was informed quickly, it took them about 40 minutes to arrive. If they had arrived faster, many shops could have been saved.
He also said that although some goods were quickly recovered, most of the shops could not be saved. Md. Sabuj, nephew of the owner of raw material shops at numbers 44 and 35 in the same market, said, the fire spread so quickly that I could not recover anything. My cash of 80,000 taka and goods worth about 1 lakh taka were burnt.
Another businessman Mohammad Riazul Haque said, everything is over. About 25,000 taka of his shop was also burnt in the fire. Eid is coming, I do not know what to do now. I will get some relief if the government stands by me. Anwarul Islam Dolan, an officer of the media cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters, said that the fire broke out at 5:14 am and the fire service reached the spot at 5:20 am and started working. The fire was brought under control by 7 am after two hours of effort. He also said that a total of 10 units from Tejgaon, Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Siddiqbazar fire stations are working to control the fire. No casualties were reported.
