43 establishments gutted in Ctg, Gazipur

Fire gutted 24 houses and valuables of two shops and two factories in three separate incidents in Chittagong city yesterday.

In Pahartoli area, valuables of two shops of electronics goods, housed on the ground floor of Alongkar Shopping Complex, were gutted in a fire which was originated from an electric short-circuit, Fire Service officials said.

In another incident fire, originated from an electric short-circuit, damaged valuables of two tin-roofed factories -- a mineral water factory and a mosquito coil factory -- in Purbo Bakalia area, the officials said.

Meanwhile, 24 tin-roofed houses -- comprising of 24 rooms -- were gutted in another fire incident in Agrabad Hazipara area, said the officials.

The reason behind the fire could not be known immediately.

In Gazipur, fire which was originated from an electric short-circuit, gutted eight shops and six houses at Maona Bazar in Sreepur upazila yesterday morning.

In another fire incident in the district, valuables of a cotton factory -- Eco Textile Mill Ltd -- were gutted in Beriderchala area of Sreepur upazila.

Around 150 workers were working in the morning when the fire began. However, the reason of the fire could not be ascertained immediately.