Sources said the fire originated from a grocery shop of the bazar at about 3:00am and soon engulfed the adjoining shops, killing two employees of a sweetmeat shop instantly and injuring 17 others.

The dead are Alauddin, 13, and Shafiqul, 12, of Dharail village.

On information, police went to the spot yesterday morning and recovered the bodies.

Seven of the injured were admitted to hospitals and clinics while the rest given first aid. The cause of the fire could not be known. A case was filed.