Chittagong, Apr 15 (V7N) – At least 20 houses were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at the CRB Malipara slum under Kotwali police station in Chittagong, leaving numerous low-income families homeless.

The fire erupted around 5:30 AM, and it took five units of the Fire Service nearly an hour to bring the blaze under control. Despite a prompt response, firefighters faced significant challenges navigating the densely populated area, which delayed access to the heart of the fire.

Strong winds exacerbated the situation, causing the flames to spread rapidly and engulf nearby houses. Though property loss was extensive, no casualties have been reported, according to the Fire Service.

Khalilur Rahman, Senior Station Officer of the Agrabad Fire Service, said preliminary observations suggest the fire may have originated from a gas cylinder explosion. However, the exact cause will be determined after a full investigation.

The fire has left many slum-dwellers devastated, with most losing all their belongings. Authorities are assessing the damage and preparing to offer support to affected families.

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