A massive fire gutted 14 businesses in the main market of Mohalchari Upazila late Tuesday night, officials said. The blaze broke out around 12:30 am, destroying a variety of shops, including footwear, clothing, cosmetics, groceries, food outlets, and jewelry stores. The extent of financial losses has not yet been determined.

Local residents said the fire began at a shop near a mosque and quickly spread across the market. Despite the arrival of two fire service units, a lack of water and narrow hilly roads delayed effective firefighting efforts. Within the first hour, no significant control measures could be taken.

“By the time our units arrived around 1:30 am, the water shortage made it impossible to contain the fire immediately,” said Mohammad Zaker Hossain, assistant director of the Khagrachhari Fire Service. “A 1,000-liter water tanker was later dispatched from Matiranga, but heavy rainfall had already helped control the blaze.”

Residents expressed concern over nearby homes and settlements, fearing the fire could spread due to its intensity. Gradually, with the help of locals and coordinated efforts from the fire service and the army, the fire was fully extinguished.

Hossain added that authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and will report the total damage once the assessment is complete.