Mymensingh: A fire has gutted Mymensingh’s historic ‘Jhalmal’ Cinema Hall in Gouripur, along with 15 to 20 nearby shops.
The blaze started around 2:15am on Tuesday at the cinema hall in the municipal town and was brought under control after about one and a half hours by four Fire Service and Civil Defence units.
Mymensingh Fire Service Assistant Director Purna Chandra Mutsuddi said an LPG cylinder warehouse beside the cinema hall, a decoration materials shop, a used-clothes shop and other businesses were among those burnt.
He said the fire was believed to have started at the LPG cylinder warehouse.
The cinema hall was housed in a former Zamindar mansion. The Fire Service could not immediately estimate the extent of the damage.
A fire that broke out suddenly at night quickly spread to several shops around Jhalmhal Cinema Hall, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Locals said the blaze intensified within minutes, giving shopkeepers little time to remove their goods. Many were unable to salvage their merchandise and other valuables.
Jhalmhal Cinema Hall, located in an old historic zamindar house in the municipal town, has long been a popular entertainment venue for local residents.
Shopkeepers said the fire gutted their merchandise and damaged their shop structures, causing substantial financial losses.
