The fire at Korail slum has burnt down nearly 1,500 houses

The fire that broke out at the Karail slum in the capital has been brought under control after more than five hours of efforts by 19 units of the Fire Service. Approximately 1,500 homes have been destroyed in the blaze. No casualties have been reported so far, according to the Fire Service and the police.

Speaking to journalists at the scene on Tuesday (25 November) night, after the fire was controlled, Fire Service Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury shared details of the situation.

He said that, based on discussions with slum dwellers, around 1,500 houses are believed to have been damaged. However, the exact number will be known after an investigation.

He added that it took around 35 minutes for units from three stations to reach the spot due to traffic congestion. Even after more units arrived, larger vehicles were unable to enter the narrow lanes. Firefighters had to work under various constraints. By the time they reached the area, the fire had already developed significantly, which made the efforts more challenging.

Lt. Col. Tajul Islam noted that reaching the source of the fire was difficult. Firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the flames from spreading further.

Explaining the delay, he said heavy traffic in the evening meant that units from several stations had to be mobilised. Once they arrived, the narrow roads prevented vehicles from entering, forcing firefighters to operate by pulling hoses from a distance.

Regarding the source of the fire, he said that during the operation, they observed tangled electrical wires and gas cylinders in almost every home. The actual cause can only be confirmed after investigation.

He also mentioned that no casualties have been reported so far, although minor injuries may be identified later.

About the damage, he said that the total financial loss and other details would be confirmed after an inquiry.

In response to a question about frequent fires in Karail slum, he said that fire drills are conducted every year. Weak points are identified during these drills. Since a drill had been conducted recently, the fire could be controlled quickly; otherwise, it might have taken an additional two to three hours.

Regarding water supply, he said that they had adequate support. Water had been sourced from Fire Service tankers, WASA, and even drains.

He pointed out that winter is approaching and the next two months are considered the ‘fire season’, when such incidents are more common.

Responding to locals’ claims that the fire could have been controlled faster using a helicopter, he said that helicopter operations can cause flames to spread due to wind, and the situation did not require such a method.

Earlier, the Fire Service reported that the fire broke out at 5:22 pm on Tuesday. Eleven units began work immediately, and eight more joined later.

Khaborwala/TSN