DHAKA: At least three plastic factories and seven dwelling houses were gutted in a devastating fire in city`s Lalbagh area early Wednesday, leaving 10 people injured.

According to fire service sources, the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shoe factory in Kamalbagh area at about 3.20am and “soon engulfed the adjacent factories and houses.”

Factory workers got panicked and ran helter-skelter after the fire broke out, leaving 10 injured.

On information, seven firefighting units from the Fire Service Headquarters and Lalbagh fire station rushed in and doused the flames with the help of local people at about 6am.

The extent of damage was estimated by the fire service authority at Tk 50 lakh.

BDST: 1220 HRS, SEPT 1, 2010