At least eight shops were gutted in a fire at Notun Bazar of Charkakra union under Companiganj upazila of the district early hours of Wednesday.

The fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop of the Notun Bazar around 4am and soon engulfed the adjacent shops,station officer of Companiganj Fire Service and Civil Defense Mohammad Jamil Miah said.

Being informed, firefighters of Companiganj Fire Service and Civil Defense rushed to the spot and doused the blaze with the help of locals after one hour efforts, he added.

It is initially estimated to have caused a loss of about Taka 6-7 lakh, Jamil Miah added.