20 shops gutted in Patuakhali

At least 20 shops were gutted in a fire at Pagla Bazar in Dumki upazila early yesterday.
Locals said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a tea stall and soon engulfed the adjoining shops at about 1:30am.
On information, two fire fighting units from the district town rushed to the spot and doused the blaze after two hours of frantic efforts.
The shop owners claimed that the loss caused by the fire could go up to Tk 50 lakh.