A fire that gutted shops at one of the book markets in Dhaka’s Nilkhet has been doused one hour after it erupted.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence used 10 fire engines to tackle the fire which was reported at 7:45pm on Tuesday, said Rosina Islam, an official at the fire service control room.
No casualties were reported immediately. The authorities were yet to assess the extent of the damage.

Several book markets are situated at Nilkhet intersection that draw students and book lovers from across the country. 
Al Amin, a shopkeeper, said the fire started at the southwest corner of Shahjalal Market and began devastating the stores at the centre.
An official at the fire service control room said the fire originated at a restaurant styled Lovely Hotel on the first floor of the market and spread from there.