A catastrophic fire tore through the heart of Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the early hours of Thursday, leaving behind a trail of charred dreams, shattered livelihoods, and a community in anguish.
The blaze engulfed over 200 shops, reducing them to ashes, and causing damage worth several crores of taka.
The conflagration has left hundreds of people reeling from massive losses and uncertain job prospects, further exacerbating the economic challenges already faced by many.
This one-story structure, clad with a corrugated iron roof, was already known to be on a list of precarious kitchen markets in the capital, and the unfortunate events of Thursday have only underscored the urgent need for safety measures and vigilance in such spaces.
According to the Shop Owners’ Association, more than 250 shops have been severely damaged, and the road to recovery appears steep for the affected merchants.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the fire first erupted near a bakery situated on one side of the market, casting a sinister glow in the predawn darkness at approximately 3:40 a.m.
The inferno exhibited alarming speed, devouring the market’s iron roofs with an insatiable appetite and leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.
It was only after five grueling hours of relentless effort that a contingent of 17 fire engines managed to bring the fire under control, marking the time at 9:25 a.m.
Most of the affected shops had been bustling hubs for groceries, clothing, crockery, and jewelry, serving as the lifeline for numerous families.
Fortunately, the section of the market that housed vendors selling fish, chicken, meat, and eggs remained relatively unscathed by the disaster.
The tragedy at Mohammadpur Krishi Market marks yet another painful chapter in a series of devastating fires that have swept through the heart of Dhaka this year.
The scars from similar incidents at Siddikbazar, Bangabazar, Chawkbazar, Nawabpur, New Super Market, and a shopping mall near Science Laboratory still linger in the collective memory of the city.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, questions linger about how such disasters can be prevented in the future, ensuring that Dhaka’s vibrant markets remain places of prosperity and not despair.
