Fire at Tin Shed Market in Narayanganj

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a fire broke out at a tin-roofed market in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, causing extensive damage to five shops, including a jewellery store, a computer shop, and an auto parts outlet. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though local shopkeepers estimate that losses may have reached approximately Tk 15 lakh.

The fire erupted around 1:15 am on 23 January at a bustling three-road junction along the railway line in North Azimpur, Ward 5 of the Narayanganj City Corporation. Residents in the vicinity were awakened by the blaze and quickly alerted the authorities.

According to eyewitnesses, two units from the Adamjee Fire Service Station arrived promptly at the scene and managed to bring the flames under control after roughly 40 minutes of intense firefighting. Despite the rapid response, five shops were completely destroyed, with goods inside largely consumed by the fire.

Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Warehouse Inspector at Adamjee Fire Service, stated that a short-circuit in the electrical wiring might have triggered the blaze. “It appears that an electrical fault was the most probable cause of this unfortunate incident,” he explained.

While the fire caused a wave of panic among local residents during the early hours, swift action by the fire service prevented further damage and a potential loss of life. Preliminary recovery efforts have salvaged goods worth approximately Tk 10 lakh, helping to mitigate some of the financial impact on affected shopkeepers.

Summary of Damage and Losses:

Local authorities have urged shop owners to ensure proper electrical safety measures in markets to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fire department has also announced plans to conduct a thorough inspection of other tin-roofed markets in the area, aiming to reduce fire hazards and enhance public safety.

The incident has reignited calls from residents and business owners for improved fire safety infrastructure, including wider access for emergency vehicles and installation of fire extinguishers in all commercial premises.

Despite the chaos, the rapid response by the Adamjee Fire Service has been widely praised, as it averted what could have been a far more devastating outcome for the local business community.