Ten people suffered injuries while trying to douse the flame, victims said.
Traders Ali Ahmmad, Anas and others said the fire erupted from a tea stall owned by Abdul Baten at Munshirhat Bazar at around 4am and spread fast, engulfing others shops.
Being informed, two firefighting units from Matlab Dakshin Fire Station rushed to the spot and brought the it under control two hours after the incident, said the Fire Station’s Officer Mohammad Ali.
He suspected that the fire might have erupted from an electric short-circuit.
The extent of damages caused by the fire will be known after investigation, he added.
The affected traders, however, claimed the extent of damages would exceed over Tk 1 crore, reports UNB.
The gutted shops included grocery, mobile servicing, fruits, cosmetics and sweetmeats.