At least four houses, used by five brothers, were burnt and valuables destroyed  at Noorpur village in Kochua upazila on Monday afternoon. Witnesses said ten people received injuries while extinguishing the flame in the houses, known as Mahabbat Ali Bepari Bari. The fire was believed to have been originated from electric short-circuit in one of the houses. They said the inmates could not save valuables, including gold ornaments and cash money, as the fire spread quickly from one house to another. Fire brigade from Kochua Sadar rushed to the spot and doused the fire after one hour of frantic effort; but by the time all the valuables of the houses were burnt to ashes, said the affected owners. They also said they all were on the way to attend a function of one of their close  relatives at Sonaimuri upazila of Noakhali. On hearing the news of fire they hurried back home from halfway to their destination. UNO Zia Ahmed Suman, Upazila Chairman Shahjahan Khan  Shishir visited the spot, consoled the affected people and gave them rice, lentil and edible oil as immediate relief.