Highlights
- Fire burning for over 4 hours, not yet under control
- 19 fire service units working to douse the blaze
- Around 6,000 homes affected; half completely destroyed
- Residents fear the fire may consume the entire slum
- At least 30 people injured, two missing reported
Fire Still Out of Control After 4 Hours
A massive fire at Dhaka’s Korail slum continued to burn for more than four hours on Tuesday evening. The fire started around 5:30 PM, and despite the efforts of firefighters, it has not been brought under control.
Initially, 7 units of the Fire Service were sent, and by 9 PM the number increased to 19 units, all working to contain the flames.
Officials estimate that nearly 6,000 homes have been affected. Around 3,000 houses have already turned to ash, and the remaining homes are also under threat as the fire spreads rapidly.
Residents Fear Sabotage
Many residents believe the fire might have been started intentionally. They fear that the entire slum could be destroyed if the fire continues to spread.
At least 30 people were injured while rushing to save their belongings. There are also reports that a woman and a child are missing, although law enforcement has not confirmed this yet.
Fire Service: Cause Not Yet Identified
Fire Service spokesperson Talha Bin Jasim said they were alerted at 5:22 PM but the cause of the fire is still unknown. Highly flammable items inside the slum—such as electrical wiring, mattresses, wood, and gas cylinders—helped the fire spread very quickly.
Another Fire Service official, Anwarul Islam Dolon, said that 16 units rushed to the spot initially, but they still do not have confirmed information about casualties or the source of the fire.
Firefighting Delayed by Traffic and Access Problems
A heavy traffic jam from Boubazar Road to Beltala Road made it difficult for water-carrying fire trucks to reach the fire. As a result, firefighters had to drag long hoses from a distance to spray water on the burning area.
Some walls inside the slum had to be broken down to create paths for emergency access.
Residents Complain About Delayed Response
Vegetable seller Selim said:
“আগুন লাগার অর্ধঘণ্টা পর ফায়ার সার্ভিস এসেছে। কিন্তু যানজটে আটকে থাকার কারণে সব গাড়ি আগুনের কাছে যেতে পারেনি।”
Translation: “The fire service came half an hour after the fire started. But due to traffic, the trucks couldn’t reach the fire.”
Read More: Massive Fire Erupts at Dhaka’s Korail Slum, Multiple Fire Service Units Working
Panic Among Residents
Garment worker Johura shared her fear:
“মনে হলো কেউ আগুন লাগিয়ে দিয়েছে। এত দ্রুত ছড়িয়েছে যে দৌড়েও পালানো গেল না।”
Translation: “It felt like someone set the fire intentionally. It spread so fast that we couldn’t even run properly.”
People Lose Everything They Built
Another resident, Lovely Begum, cried as she said:
“আমার সব পুড়ে ছাই। সাত বছর ধরে কিস্তিতে কিস্তিতে জিনিসপত্র কিনেছি। টিভি, ফ্রিজ কিছুই রইল না।”
Translation: “Everything I own is burned. For seven years I bought things on installments. Now I have nothing left—not even my TV or fridge.”
Garment worker Nasima Begum rushed to the slum after hearing from her sister:
“বোনের ফোনে শুনে ছুটে এসেছি। আমার ঘরটাও নাকি পুড়ে গেছে। এখন কীভাবে নতুন করে শুরু করব, বুঝতে পারছি না।”
Translation: “My sister called and I came running. They say my house is burned too. I don’t know how I will start again.”
Previous Fires at Korail Slum
This is not the first time Korail slum has faced a major fire.
- On 22 February, a fire burned 61 houses, controlled by 10 fire units.
- On 18 December 2024, another fire also caused serious damage.
Source: The Daily Campus
