Khagrachhari, March 27 -- A massive fire gutted 35 shops at Boalkhali New Market, the main commercial hub of Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari, early Friday morning.

The fire broke out around 3:00 am and engulfed shops, including shoe stores, cosmetic outlets, salons, pharmacies and jewellery shops.

Two units of the Fire Service, with assistance from Dighinala police, the army and local residents, managed to bring the blaze under control after nearly one and a half hours, said Pankaj Barua, officer-in-charge of Dighinala Fire Station.

By then, most of the goods and furniture in the affected shops had been completely destroyed.

Fire Service officials said the lack of nearby water sources delayed firefighting efforts.

Preliminary estim...