A massive fire that broke out at Karail slum in the capital was brought under control after more than five hours of continuous effort by 19 units of the Fire Service. Approximately 1,500 houses in the slum were gutted in the blaze. So far, no casualties have been reported by the Fire Service or the police.
After the fire was brought under control on Tuesday night (25 November), Director (Operations and Maintenance) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, spoke to journalists at the scene. He said that based on initial discussions with residents, an estimated 1,500 houses were damaged. However, the exact figure will be confirmed after a detailed investigation.
He explained that fire service units from three stations reached the scene about 35 minutes after the fire broke out, as heavy traffic congestion delayed their arrival. Additional units later joined the operation, but narrow roads inside the slum prevented large fire engines from entering. As a result, firefighters had to extend hoses from a distance and continue their work under severe constraints.
Lieutenant Colonel Tajul Islam said that by the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already reached an advanced stage, which made it difficult to control quickly. Firefighters also faced challenges in reaching the source of the fire. Despite these obstacles, they worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Regarding the cause of the fire, he noted that tangled electrical wiring and gas cylinders were found in almost every house in the slum. Without a proper investigation, the exact source of the fire cannot be determined. The extent of financial losses will also be assessed following the investigation.
On the issue of water supply, he said there was no major shortage. Water was sourced from Fire Service vehicles, WASA lines, and nearby drains to combat the blaze.
Responding to questions about frequent fires in Karail slum, he said fire drills are conducted there every year to identify vulnerable points. As a drill had been conducted recently, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control relatively faster; otherwise, it could have taken two to three more hours. He also mentioned that the next two months are considered the fire season, during which such incidents increase.
Addressing local demands for the use of helicopters, he said helicopters can worsen fires by spreading flames due to strong air movement, and there was no need for their use in this incident.
According to the Fire Service, the fire broke out at around 5:22 pm on Tuesday. Initially, 11 units responded, and later eight more units joined, bringing the total to 19 units engaged in the firefighting operation.
GLIVE/TSN