A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at the east side of Dhamura Bazar in Sholak Union under Uzirpur upazila of Barishal, destroying eight shops and causing losses estimated at over one crore taka. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., and the fire spread rapidly before being brought under control after about an hour and fifteen minutes by a unit of the Uzirpur Fire Service.

According to fire service and local sources, the blaze completely gutted shops belonging to several traders, including sanitary, poultry feed, furniture, steel, and boat businesses. Fire Service and Civil Defense officer Abdur Rashid said the damage could amount to several crores of taka. Affected traders reported losing both cash and goods, with individual losses ranging from several lakhs to over half a crore taka.

Uzirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ali Suza visited the site and said that initiatives would be taken to provide necessary assistance to the affected business owners. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.