Dhaka, March 20 -- A devastating fire broke out at Picture Palace Super Market in Khulna city early Wednesday, reducing at least 50 shops to ashes.

According to Fire Service officials, the blaze erupted around 5:40 AM from one of the shops and quickly spread to adjacent stores. Nine firefighting units from multiple stations responded swiftly and managed to bring the flames under control after about an hour and a half of efforts.

The fire consumed shops selling cosmetics, clothes, shoes, bags, and other products. However, the cause of the fire and the total extent of damage have not yet been determined.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, Hawladar Sanowar Hossain Masum, stated that authorities are investigating the incident to de...