(MENAFN) On Tuesday, a massive fire broke out in a popular clothing market in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, blanketing the city's oldest neighborhoods in black smoke. Hundreds of firefighters were mobilized to battle the inferno, which gutted the Bongo Bazar market and three adjacent commercial precincts. While no casualties have been reported so far, shop owners and fire officials have confirmed that the damage to the market is extensive.
Fire department spokesman Rakibul Islam stated that around 600 firefighters are working to bring the fire under control. A military spokesman also confirmed that an air force helicopter has joined the firefighting effort. Aerial footage from the chopper showed hundreds of people watching the fire from a nearby overpass.
The Bongo Bazar market is a popular destination for cut-price Western fashion brands, such as Tommy Hilfiger, selling clothes that were produced in the city's garment factories but failed to meet export standards. The fire has left distraught shop owners destitute ahead of Eid, the Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan and the country's biggest religious celebration.
One business owner, who borrowed 1.5 million taka ($14,100) to buy Eid clothing, told reporters, "I've lost everything." The market's destruction will have significant economic impacts, as it is one of the busiest commercial centers in the capital, attracting both local and foreign customers.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but incidents like this are not uncommon in Bangladesh, where fire safety standards are often lax, and buildings are constructed without proper fire exits or equipment. The government has promised to investigate the incident and take steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The devastating fire in the Bongo Bazar market serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures, especially in crowded areas, and the need for strict enforcement of building codes and regulations.
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