A devastating fire in Gauripur municipality of Mymensingh destroyed the historic Jhaljhal Cinema Hall along with at least 20 shops and several business establishments. The blaze broke out at around 2:15am on Wednesday and quickly spread through the surrounding commercial area, leaving a trail of destruction before firefighters brought it under control.
The fire reportedly started near the cinema hall. After receiving the alert, four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene and began efforts to contain the flames. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control at around 3:40am, preventing it from spreading further into the surrounding area.
Purna Chandra Mutsuddi, assistant director of the Mymensingh Fire Service, confirmed the incident. He said several businesses adjacent to the cinema hall were completely gutted in the fire. These included an LPG cylinder storage facility, a decoration shop and a second-hand clothing business, among others.
According to the Fire Service’s preliminary assessment, the fire may have originated from the cylinder storage facility beside the cinema hall. However, the exact cause has not yet been established. Authorities are expected to determine how the fire started after a detailed investigation.
The presence of an LPG cylinder storage facility close to the cinema hall made the situation particularly concerning. Fire involving gas cylinders can spread rapidly and poses additional risks to nearby structures and people. The prompt deployment of four firefighting units helped bring the situation under control within a relatively short period, although several businesses had already suffered extensive damage.
Jhaljhal Cinema Hall is considered one of Gauripur’s older and more familiar landmarks. The cinema was operated from an old historic zamindar house in the area, giving the establishment significance beyond its commercial role. The fire has therefore affected not only local businesses but also a place associated with the town’s cultural and architectural heritage.
The full extent of the financial losses remains unclear. The Fire Service said the amount of damage would be assessed after the investigation is completed. The destruction of shops and stored goods is likely to have affected several local traders, although the precise financial impact has yet to be established.
The incident also raises questions about fire safety arrangements in areas where commercial establishments operate close to LPG storage facilities. Such locations require careful handling of combustible materials and appropriate safety measures to reduce the risk of a fire spreading from one establishment to another.
No detailed information on casualties was immediately available. Investigators will now focus on establishing the exact source of the fire and assessing the extent of damage caused to the cinema hall, shops and other businesses in the affected area.
