Korail fire: 400 shanties gutted

At least 400 shanties were incinerated in a fire that broke out in Korail Boubajar slum in Dhaka’s Mohakhali this afternoon, fire service officials said.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Halim said there was no news of casualties and his forces were searching the place for any.

Volunteers trying to douse flames in Korail slum on December 4, 2016. Photo: Shaheen Mollah

The fire broke out around 2:45pm. 14 firefighting units, volunteers and locals tamed the flames around 4:20pm, officials at fire service headquarters told The Daily Star.

Abdus Samad Sheikh, proprietor of a bedding store in Korail slum, claimed the fire broke out from a two-storied shanty beside his store in the afternoon.

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq visited the spot. He assured assistance for the affected victims. “We’ll prepare a list of the victims.”

Locals searching the incinerated shanties. Photo: Shaheen Mollah

Fire service Assistant Director Masudur Rahman Akand said about 400-500 shanties were gutted in the fire. “We have not heard any news of casualties.”

 A fire service volunteer, Poly Akhter Mukta, who was among the first to rush after hearing news of fire, said about 200 volunteers worked alongside the fire fighters during the fire.