PATUAKHALI, April 16, 2025 (BSS) – At least five shops, including a local office of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), were gutted in a fire that broke out early today at Tegachiya bazaar under Mithaganj Union of Kalapara upazila.

Illias Hossen, in-charge of the Kalapara Fire Service Station confirmed the incident. He said that the fire burnt two grocery shops, a restaurant, a pesticide shop, and the BNP office.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire might have originated from an electric short-circuit, he added.

"Upon receiving information, our team rushed to the spot and managed to douse the blaze after an hour of hectic effort," said Illias Hossen.

He further added that an investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the fire incident.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Rabiul Islam said that instructions have been given to the Project Implementation Officer to collect a list of the affected shopkeepers.