Fire kills businessman in Noakhali

A businessman was burnt alive as a fire broke out at a shop in Companiganj upazila in Noakhali early today.

At least six shops of a local market were also gutted in the fire, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reports quoting Md Sajedur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Companiganj Police Station.

Deceased Abdul Halim, 80, was a diesel trader in Chaprashirhat area of the upazila, the OC said.

The fire originated from an electric short circuit at the victim’s shop around 2:00am and soon spread to the five adjacent shops, Jamal Uddin, a fireman of Companiganj fire service station, told the Bangla daily.

On information, firemen rushed to the spot and brought the flame under control after around an hour, the fireman said adding “The burnt body of Abdul Halim was recovered from the shop.”

Md Sajedur Rahman, OC of Companiganj Police Station confirmed the incident to the Bangla daily.