Losses Feared to Exceed Tk 10 CroreZakir Hossin, Pirojpur: A devastating fire at the historic Miarhat Bazaar in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur reduced at least 17 shops to ashes. The fire broke out at around 10:45 PM on Friday (May 15). According to affected traders, the estimated damage may exceed Tk 10 crore.Local sources said there are differing opinions regarding the exact origin of the fire, though most residents believe it started from an electric pole near a bamboo grove beside a fertilizer and pesticide shop. Within moments, the flames spread rapidly to nearby businesses.After the fire broke out, local residents initially tried to control the blaze using water from a nearby canal. Later, three units of the Fire Service arrived at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after nearly an hour of effort.Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Nesarabad Fire Service, said at least 17 shops were destroyed in the incident. The affected establishments included three fertilizer and pesticide shops, a tea stall, and several businesses dealing in plastic goods, ropes and scissors, crockeries, hardware, groceries, salons, and betel leaf.During a visit to the site early Saturday morning (May 16), several affected traders were identified, including Tarek, Kabir, Shahabuddin, Rafik, Bashir, Jahirul, Masum, Alam, Fazlul Haque (thread shop), Faisal (crockeries), Sujon (hardware), Miraj (betel leaf shop), Shanti (salon), Shakil (grocery shop), Azizul Haque, and Fazlu (plastic shop).Fertilizer and pesticide businesses suffered the heaviest losses. Maidul Islam Lipu, owner of Mitali Traders, said his losses alone exceeded Tk 1 crore. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, owner of Kazi Traders, estimated his losses at between Tk 60 lakh and Tk 70 lakh. Another trader, Shipon, said goods worth around Tk 20 lakh were destroyed in the fire.Notably, about a year ago, another major fire caused extensive damage on the western side of the Miarhat Jame Mosque. This time, businesses on the eastern side of the mosque were destroyed. Repeated fire incidents have created panic among local traders and residents.