Wails of despair as fire engulfs traders' investments before Eid

Shop owners, employees and their relatives were seen wailing in despair as they watched flames engulf the New Super Market in the capital this morning.

Only a few traders were attempting to salvage their goods, while the rest stood and watched helplessly.

With just a week to go till Eid-ul-Fitr, this was supposed to be a particularly profitable time for the traders. Instead, like the fire that burnt the Bangabazar Shopping Complex to the ground just 12 days ago, traders are watching their hopes and dreams go up in smoke.

Traders said there are approximately 1,250 shops at the market, which is situated close to the iconic New Market.

Twenty-eight firefighting units, as well as teams from army, navy and air force, were fighting to douse the fire that broke out at the market situated near the iconic New Market at 5:40am.

There were several hundred onlookers who had gathered at the site, making it challenging for the firefighters to carry out their operations smoothly.

To ease the situation, law enforcement officials were using loudspeakers to request onlookers to clear the area.