Karail slum fire guts around 1,500 shanties: Fire Service

A fire that broke out at the Karail slum in the capital, Dhaka, has been brought under control after more than five hours through the efforts of 19 units of the Fire Service. Around 1,500 shanties were burnt in the blaze. So far, no casualties have been reported by the Fire Service or police.

Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday night (25 November) after the fire was brought under control, Fire Service Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury confirmed the information.

He said they learnt from various sources inside the slum that approximately 1,500 houses were damaged, though the exact number will be known after an investigation.

He added that three Fire Service units from different stations reached the spot 35 minutes after the fire started, mainly due to severe traffic congestion on the roads. Although more units arrived later, the vehicles could not enter because of the narrow lanes. “We had to work with many limitations. By the time we reached, the fire had already reached the development stage, which made it harder to contain,” he said.

Tajul Islam said the firefighters faced significant difficulties in reaching the source of the fire. “Our firefighters worked tirelessly and made every effort to bring the blaze under control quickly.”

Explaining again why it took 35 minutes to reach the site, he said that heavy afternoon traffic was a major reason and that units from three to four stations were mobilised. Even after arriving, the fire engines could not enter the slum, forcing firefighters to pull hoses from a distance.

Regarding the origin of the fire, he said that during the firefighting operation they observed tangled electrical wires and gas cylinders in every home. The exact cause will be determined after investigation.

“No casualties have been reported so far, though there may be minor injuries. This will be known later,” he added.

Asked about the extent of damage, he said the financial losses and total destruction will be confirmed after an investigation.

Responding to a question about whether the Fire Service takes yearly precautions, considering fires occur frequently in Korail, he said that drills are conducted annually at the slum to identify weak points and prepare for emergencies. “A drill was held here just a few days ago, which helped us extinguish the fire quickly. Otherwise, it might have taken two to three more hours,” he said.