Dhaka: Bangladesh nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday demanded a neutral probe involving experts into the Gulshan DNCC market fire to ascertain whether it was a premeditated one.

The businessmen and those who were running shops here are in doubt the fire incident might have been a pre-planned one. A fair investigation is necessary to unearth the reason, find out those responsible for the incident, and put them on trial, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

That’s why we think the fact behind the incident should be dug out, and a completely neutral inquiry team comprising experts should be formed, Fakhrul came up with remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the fire-ravaged market and talking to the affected shop owners and businessmen.

He also demanded the government take initiatives to rehabilitate the affected shop owners and businessmen. I’ve heard there were 695 shops in the market, unfortunately the fire burnt down all the shops, making shop owners paupers. It’s difficult for many of them to make a turnaround,” said Fakhrul, reports UNB.

The BNP leader demanded the government take necessary steps to provide compensation to the victims.

The fire broke out at the DNCC market in Gulshan area of the city around 2:30 am on Tuesday and it later engulfed the whole market. A portion of the two-storey 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.