RANGAMATI: At least 200 shops and several houses were gutted in a devastating fire at bazaar in Baghaichhari upazila of the district early Saturday.

Local sources said the fire originated at a shop around 3:30am and soon engulfed adjacent shops. 

On information, members of Border Guard Bangladesh rushed to the spot and doused the fire with the help of locals using water, sand and fire extinguishers after two and half an hour frantic efforts.

As upazila has no fire service office, fire fighters from Khagrachhari Sadar fire service rushed to the spot. In the meantime, the fire had burnt the whole bazaar to ashes before the fire fighters arrived there.

Baghaichhari Thana In-Charge Azizul Haque confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Shoppers claimed that the extent of damage could go up to TK 30-crore.

BDST: 1354 HRS, JAN 24, 2015