19 shops gutted, 3 hurt in gas cylinder blast in Patuakhali

A devastating fire gutted 19 shops in the Ferryghat area of Kalapara upazila town under Patuakhali district early yesterday. Photo: STAR

Nineteen shops were gutted in a fire at ferry ghat (terminal) area of Kalapara upazila town early yesterday.
Locals and shop owners said the fire originated from an electric short at a plastic shop at around 4:00am and soon engulfed 18 other shops in the area.
Shop owners with the help of locals extinguished the blaze after an hour. At least 10 shopkeepers received burn injuries.
Meanwhile, three members of a family were injured in gas cylinder blast in Patuakhali town yesterday. The injured are Mamun Mridha, 30, his wife Sumi Akhter, 25 and their two-year-old son Afsim.
Family sources said a gas cylinder exploded when Sumi was cooking at their kitchen at around 11:00am. Neighbours rushed to the spot and took the three to Patuakhail General Hospital.
As there is no burn unit at the hospital, doctors referred the three to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.