A severe fire broke out at the Jorarganj Bazar in the Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram late Saturday night, gutting three furniture shops and causing significant financial distress to local traders.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 am near the Textile Engineering College. The blazing inferno consumed timber, raw materials, and finished wooden furniture, sending waves of panic through local residents and neighbouring traders who feared the flames would spread across the densely packed commercial area.
Personnel from the Baraiyarhat Fire Service and Civil Defence station rushed to the scene upon receiving the alert. Their swift intervention brought the situation under control, averting a wider disaster in the bustling marketplace.
According to Zainal Abedin Titash, the in-charge of the Baraiyarhat Fire Service station, preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from an electrical short-circuit. Furniture workshops inherently house high-risk combustible materials such as dry timber, engineered boards, foam, textiles, and volatile finishes like paint and varnish. These elements allow flames to spread rapidly, magnifying the scale of destruction once ignited.
The affected business owners have been identified as Abdullah Al Noman, Didar Hossain, and Mezbaul Alam. Because the blaze struck deep in the night while the shops were locked, the initial spark went unnoticed, allowing the fire to intensify before anyone could sound the alarm. Night-time blazes in commercial hubs frequently present heightened challenges for detection and response.
While no casualties have been reported, the traders face severe economic setbacks due to the high market value of the destroyed timber and inventory. Authorities have not yet released a final valuation of the losses, pending a comprehensive official assessment.
Local traders have highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety measures across regional markets. Recommendations include regular electrical audits, the replacement of ageing wiring, and the installation of accessible firefighting equipment. Strengthening night-time security patrols could also ensure faster incident detection, protecting livelihoods from such devastating nocturnal emergencies.
