60 shops gutted in Barguna

The fire originated from a candle lit in a shop at the Khudro Babosayee Colony (small businessmen's colony) behind the local municipal market at around 3am, according to victims, local administration and police sources.

Ashraf Ali, owner of a shop burnt down in the fire, said, amid power outage, a worker went to sleep inside a shop with a lighted candle in it. As the candle burnt out, the flame fanned out in the highly dense market.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

After two- and half-hours of struggle, fire fighters assisted by the locals could bring the fire under control at around 5.30am.

Most of the damaged shops were of readymade garments and tailoring.