Dhaka: Firefighters tamed the fire that razed through the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Market in Gulshan on Tuesday afternoon after over 16 hours.

A total of 23 firefighting units brought the blaze under control, DNCC mayor Annisul Huq told journalists at about 6:30pm.

The fire originated from the DNCC kitchen market in Gulshan area of the city at about 2:30am and it later engulfed the whole market, said Bhajon Kumar Sarker, a duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room.

A portion of the two-storey DNCC Market collapsed following the massive fire. The blaze also spread to another market adjacent to the DNCC market.

Several hundred shops were burnt down in the fire. It was not still clear what caused the fire.

Visiting the spot, Annisul Huq said there is no casualty in the fire.

Replying to a query whether firefighters' negligence led to the spread of the blaze, Annisul said no such allegation was found against the firemen and they are working their best.

Asked about compensation for the affected shop owners, he said the decision will be taken after the extent of losses was assessed.  

Sources at the DNCC market managing committee said there are 605 shops in two buildings of the market with one housing 371 and the other 234 shops, reports news agency UNB.

Meanwhile, the building that has 371 shops collapsed following the huge fire.

Abul Bashar, owner of Bashar Igloo Food Products, said he had four shops in the market. ‘I couldn't enter the market as the building collapsed and the fire is yet to be brought under control,’ he told reporters at about 4:00pm.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters formed a five-member probe committee, headed by its deputy director (operation) Debashis Bhardan, to look into the fire.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia also visited the spot.

In a statement, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has urged the government to launch a probe into the fire to know the exact reasons.

The trade body said hundreds of shops were gutted in the fire and the shop owners incurred huge financial losses. It also expressed its deep sympathy at the fire incident.