At least 12 shops were gutted in a fire at Pardia Bazar under Shamkur union in Monirampur upazila early yesterday. Local people said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop of Abu Sayed of the market and soon engulfed the adjoining shops. Local people rushed to the spot and doused the flame after one hour of hectic efforts. The loss caused by the fire could go up to Tk 20 lakh.