Dhaka, Oct. 26 -- A fire has ripped though a market in Bandarban's Thanchi Upazila, burning down at least 13 shops.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday in Bolipara Union's Bolibazar, according to Peer Mohammad, chief of the Thanchi Thana Fire Station.

"We left for Bolibazar immediately after receiving the call on the emergency number around 2:15am. We reached the spot and began extinguishing efforts," he said.

"The flames were brought under control after one and a half hours. However, 13 shops in the market had been gutted by then."

Local public representatives said the fire originated in a restaurant in the market, before rapidly spreading to nearby shops.

Ansingmya Marma, president of market's traders' committee, said: ...