At least three people were killed and two others injured in a fire that broke out at Reazuddin Bazar, one of the largest wholesale markets in Chattogram city, early Friday, said Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
The identities of the casualties could not be ascertained immediately, but the FSCD control room in Chattogram’s Agrabad claimed that the blaze was brought under control at around 5am.
Shoppers and the Fire Service sources said the blaze erupted in the early hours of Friday in one Brothers’ Telecom of the eight-storey Rezwan Complex, where mobile parts and electric device shops house, of the Reazuddin Bazar on Tamakkundi Lane by New Market, engulfing nearby Mohammadi Plaza.
Mozammel Haque, a leader of the Reazuddin Bazar Banik Kaylan Samity, said several employees were asleep and trapped in different shops when the fire broke out.
Three of them succumbed to smoke inhalation as they couldn't come out in time, he said, adding that the fire, which raged for several hours, burned numerous businesses.
Abdur Razzak, deputy assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service, said, "We received reports of the fire at Rezwan Complex on Bahar Lane in Amtal area at around 1:40am.
Several fire-fighting units from Agrabad, Nandan Kanan, and Chandanpura arrived promptly. Despite our efforts, the fire was not fully controlled until after 3:30am when three more units joined the operation."
Razzak also said, "Several people were trapped in the market, and among them, three died. Others fell ill due to the intense smoke. The narrow lanes obstructed our access, complicating the fire-fighting efforts."
The bodies were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, he added.
The Fire Service Control Room by 5am, claimed that the fire was brought under control.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause and extent of the damages.
