Historic cinema hall, 20 shops gutted in Mymensingh fire

A devastating fire destroyed historic Jhalmhal Cinema Hall and around 20 adjoining business establishments in Gauripur municipality of Mymensingh early Wednesday.

The fire broke started around 2:15am apparently from a LPG gas cylinder warehouse near the cinema hall, said Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Purna Chandra Mutsuddi.

 Four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after nearly two hours of efforts.

The fire completely gutted the cinema hall and 15-20 adjoining businesses including the LPG cylinder warehouse, a decoration shop and a second-hand clothing shop.

Local administration and Fire Service officials are working to assess the extent of damage.

The exact amount of financial losses will be determined after an investigation, officials said.

Jhalmhal Cinema Hall is housed in a historic century-old zamindar mansion in Gauripur. The old zamindar residence had been used as the venue for the cinema hall.