Fire at New Market destroys four shops, damages several others; short circuit suspected. Photo : BSS

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, June 24, 2026 (BSS) - Four shops were completely destroyed in a fire that broke out at New Market in the district on Wednesday morning.

According to local sources and the Fire Service, the fire erupted before the market opened for business. Local residents first noticed flames coming from Rajshahi Store, located on the second floor of the market. The blaze quickly spread to adjacent shops, including Fashion Garments and Raisa Fashion.

Upon receiving the information, six units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene. The firefighting teams included three units from Sadar Upazila, two from Shibganj, and one from Nachole. After nearly two hours of frantic efforts, firefighters succeeded in bringing the fire under control.

Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit.

The fire completely destroyed furniture and a large quantity of clothing in four shops. In addition, around eight to ten nearby shops reportedly sustained partial damage.

Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Rajshahi, Md. Abdur Razzak, told BSS that the exact cause of the fire and the total extent of the damage would be determined following a formal investigation.

“Initial reports indicate that goods in four shops were completely burned, while several other shops suffered partial losses,” he said.