The Korail slum in Dhaka experienced a devastating fire on Tuesday, which was brought under control after five hours by the Fire Service deploying nineteen units. Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Anwarul Islam confirmed containment at 10:35 pm. The fire, first reported around 5:30 pm, initially drew eleven fire units, with eight more joining to tackle the spread.
The blaze primarily affected the Cumilla Potti, Barisal Potti, and ‘C’ Block areas of Bou Bazar, home to approximately a thousand dwellings. Local residents reported that the fire spread rapidly, leaving families with no time to salvage their homes or belongings. Police and Ansar members worked to manage crowds and secure abandoned homes, ensuring that looting did not occur.
Many residents, displaced and traumatised, spent the night under the open sky at Khumarbari Eidgah Ground, Ershad School Ground, and Mohakhali T&T Ground. Families brought what little they could save, using makeshift fires to combat the night chill and mosquito bites. The scene underscores both the immediate human cost and the long-term vulnerability of informal settlements to disasters.
Autoworker Robin Sheikh recounted that his family’s rented three-room home near Maer Doa School was engulfed by flames, leaving them with only minimal possessions. His wife, Nurena Begum, explained that the fire, which began in Barisal Potti, spread with alarming speed, preventing them from rescuing more belongings.
This incident illustrates the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Dhaka’s slum communities, highlighting the urgent need for effective fire safety measures, disaster preparedness, and social support systems to protect the most vulnerable urban residents.