A fire broke out in several tin-shed residential homes in the Shyamoli area of the capital on Thursday afternoon, prompting a swift response from the Fire Service and local residents. The blaze was brought under control after around 40 minutes of firefighting, with no casualties reported so far.
The incident occurred on Road No. 3 in Shyamoli, in the area beyond Dhaka Udyan, on Thursday (13 August). The Fire Service control room received information about the fire at around 3.15pm. Following the alert, two units from the Mohammadpur Fire Station were dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters began tackling the blaze soon after arriving, while residents in the surrounding area also assisted in the emergency response. Because the affected structures were tin-shed homes situated close to one another, there was a risk that flames could spread rapidly to neighbouring dwellings. The prompt intervention helped prevent the situation from escalating.
The two Fire Service units worked for roughly 40 minutes before bringing the fire under control at about 4.10pm. No additional firefighting units were required, according to Fire Service officials, as the intensity of the blaze remained within the capacity of the teams already deployed.
Fire Service inspector Anwarul Islam said two units had taken part in the operation and that the severity of the fire did not warrant sending additional units to the location.
Although the immediate danger was brought under control, officials had yet to establish what caused the fire or determine the full extent of the damage. A preliminary assessment was initiated at the scene after the flames were extinguished. Fire Service officials did not immediately identify whether an electrical fault, a cooking stove or another source had triggered the blaze.
The incident also highlights the particular fire risks associated with densely populated residential settlements where tin-shed structures are built close together. Such homes can allow flames to spread quickly, while narrow roads and restricted access points may make it more difficult for emergency crews to reach the affected area and operate firefighting equipment effectively.
In such circumstances, early reporting can play a crucial role in limiting damage. Residents are generally advised to alert the emergency services as soon as smoke or flames are detected, while people in nearby homes should move to safer locations rather than attempting to remain close to the fire.
No deaths or injuries had been reported in connection with Thursday’s incident as of the latest information available. The number of homes affected and the value of property damaged also remained unclear. A more precise assessment is expected once officials complete their inspection of the site.
The exact cause of the fire and the overall extent of the losses may become clearer following further investigation and assessment by the relevant authorities.
