At least 21 shops and five houses were gutted as a devastating fire broke out at Rupsha wholesale kitchen market in West Rupsha area in the city today.
Md Ramzan Ali Howlader, joint secretary of Rupsha Wholesale Kitchen Market Traders Association, said the blaze started at a cork sheet warehouse around 10:45am and soon engulfed the adjoining 21 shops and five houses beside the market.
The fire originated from a cigarette carelessly thrown around a cork sheet warehouse, he said.
Three fire brigade units from Tutpara fire station and one from Boyra station rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze at 1pm, said Shamsur Rahman, in charge of Tutpara Fire Service.
Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Parliament member of Khulna-2 Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel and other government officials visited the spot.
