Severe Fire Erupts at Tin-Shed Market in Narayanganj

In the early hours of Thursday, 23 January, a devastating fire broke out at a tin-roofed market in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, causing significant damage to local businesses. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m. at the bustling three-road junction near the North Azimpur railway line, within Ward 5 of Narayanganj City Corporation. Local residents reported spotting thick smoke rising from the market, prompting them to raise the alarm immediately. Shouts and frantic calls swiftly alerted the Adamjee Fire Service Station.

Two fire units from Adamjee arrived promptly and, after nearly 40 minutes of intense firefighting, successfully brought the blaze under control. Despite their swift response, the fire completely consumed five shops within the market.

Shop owners have estimated the initial loss at around 1.5 million Bangladeshi Taka. Fortunately, some merchandise was salvaged thanks to rapid evacuation efforts. Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Warehouse Inspector at the Adamjee Fire Service, indicated that an electrical short circuit is believed to have sparked the fire.

“We were able to rescue goods valued at roughly 1 million Taka. The quick action by both fire personnel and shopkeepers prevented a larger catastrophe and a potential loss of life,” he stated.

Local residents described a brief period of panic in the neighbourhood immediately following the outbreak of the fire. However, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the fire service and market traders, the situation was quickly stabilised.

The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the shops affected and the estimated initial losses:

This incident underscores the pressing need for improved safety measures in tin-roofed markets, particularly in monitoring electrical wiring and implementing fire prevention protocols. Authorities have been urged to strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure adequate firefighting facilities, particularly during late-night hours, to avert similar disasters in the future.