A sudden fire broke out at a garment warehouse in the bustling New Market area of Chattogram on Thursday morning, triggering brief panic among local traders and shoppers before emergency responders brought the situation under control. No casualties or injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
The blaze originated at approximately 10:15 am on the third floor of Block B within the commercial complex, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Police Station. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of smoke billowing from the storehouse, which contained a large quantity of highly flammable textiles and synthetic fabrics. Given the dense stocking of materials, there were immediate concerns that the flames could spread rapidly to adjacent shops and storage spaces within the tightly packed market layout.
Upon receiving the distress call, the control room of the Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence dispatched teams to the site. Two firefighting units from the nearby Nandankanan Fire Station rushed to the scene and initiated containment operations. Working swiftly to isolate the source of the combustion, firefighters managed to bring the blaze fully under control by 10:50 am after an effort lasting roughly 40 minutes.
Masud Rana, the duty officer at the Chattogram Fire Service control room, confirmed that the timely arrival and coordinated action of the firefighters prevented the fire from engulfing surrounding retail units. While the immediate threat was neutralized, officials stated that the precise cause of the ignition could not be ascertained right away.
Commercial markets across Chattogram, particularly older Multi-storey structures hosting wholesale clothing depots, face persistent fire risks due to complex electrical wiring, heavy power loads, and limited structural ventilation. Authorities and fire safety officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether an electrical short circuit or another hazard triggered the incident. A formal assessment will also be carried out to evaluate the total financial damage caused to the inventory stored inside the facility. Normal operations in the surrounding shopping district resumed shortly after safety checks were completed.
