Fire ravages 41 shops in Pirojpur overnight

Two separate fire incidents have torn through two bustling markets in Pirojpur, reducing at least 41 shops to ashes.

The first blaze ignited in Panchpara Bazar in Pirojpur Sadar Upazila, and the second erupted in Miarhat Bazar in neighbouring Nesarabad Upazila, authorities said.

According to Pirojpur Sadar Police Station chief Abdus Sobahan, the fire broke out at a sweets shop in Panchpara Bazar around 11:30pm on Monday.

A night watchman spotted the flames and raised the alarm, drawing local residents who rushed to douse the fire.

Emergency services were called, but by the time firefighters arrived about 30 minutes later, the blaze had already consumed 11 shops, including grocery stores, bookshops, and jewellery outlets.

Locals believe someone had deliberately set the shop on fire.

“The fire service was informed immediately, but they didn’t arrive on time,” said Nimai Mistry, the owner of the sweets shop where the fire broke out according to officials.

“That is why the damage was so severe.”

Police said an electrical short circuit may have been the cause.

“We are investigating whether there was any other reason for the fire,” said OC Sobahan.

30 SHOPS GUTTED IN NESARABAD FIRE

A few hours later, another fire erupted in Miarhat Bazar around 6am on Tuesday.

The flames spread rapidly through the market, fuelled by the absence of people during early hours.

By the time firefighters crossed the Sandhya River and reached the site, more than 30 businesses had been destroyed, according to officials and traders.

“When I got the news, I rushed to the market and saw my shop burning,” said Amir Hossain, a businessman who lost two stores.

“I couldn’t save anything.”

Badal Bepari, the general secretary of the Miarhat Bazar Traders’ Association, estimated that losses exceeded Tk 1 billion and that nearly 30 to 35 shops had turned to ashes due to the blaze.

Jugal Biswas, an inspector at the Pirojpur Fire Service, said early assessments suggested that the fire was caused by electrical faults.

“We are still working to determine the full extent of the damage,” he said.