A devastating fire triggered by an electric short circuit gutted five residential houses in the Machuakhal area of Matlab Dakshin upazila on Wednesday morning, causing an estimated loss of Tk 40 lakh.
At least five to six people were injured while attempting to extinguish the flames.
The fire originated around 9:00 a.m. at the residence of Jalal Jamaddar and rapidly spread to adjoining houses belonging to his brothers and relatives-Manik Jamaddar, Selim Jamaddar, Sufian Jamaddar and Kamrul Jamaddar.
Furniture, gold jewelry and all valuable belongings were reduced to ashes in the blaze.
Upon receiving the news, a unit from the Matlab Dakshin Fire Service, led by Team Leader Mehedi Hasan, rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control by 10:30 a.m. after a one-and-a-half-hour effort.
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by an electric short circuit, Mehedi Hasan said.