16 shops gutted

At least 16 shops were gutted in a fire at Sonapur municipality market in Noakhali town early yesterday. Md Liton Mia, general secretary of Sonapur Municipality Market Society, said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at Dhaka Store around 2:30am and soon engulfed the adjoining shops. On information, firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flame after two hours of hectic efforts. The loss caused by the fire could go up to Tk 2 crore, said Liton.