Dhaka, February 22, (V7N) -  Two separate fire incidents in Dhaka early today and on Friday evening destroyed dozens of shanties and shops, causing significant property damage but no casualties, officials confirmed.

A fire broke out in the capital’s Karail slum at 12:44 am today, originating from a kitchen stove. The blaze quickly spread, gutting 61 shanties before being brought under control at 1:35 am by ten firefighting units.

Nazrul Islam, a sub-officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, told BSS that the fire caused an estimated Tk 10 lakh in damages. No casualties were reported, but the incident has left many families homeless.

Karail, one of Dhaka’s largest slums, is home to thousands of low-income families. Fires in such densely populated areas often result in significant losses due to the close proximity of structures and limited access for emergency services.

In a separate incident on Friday evening, a fire at Taltola in Khilgaon gutted at least 20 shops, mostly garages, and two sawmills. The fire broke out around 7:30 pm and was brought under control by nine firefighting engines by 9:35 pm.

Fire Service officials suspect that a chemical drum explosion may have caused the fire to spread rapidly. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this incident either.

Fire incidents are not uncommon in Dhaka, where densely populated slums and commercial areas often lack adequate fire safety measures. The rapid spread of fires in such areas is frequently exacerbated by narrow streets, poor infrastructure, and the presence of flammable materials.

The Fire Service has repeatedly called for improved safety protocols and better urban planning to prevent such incidents. However, implementation remains a challenge in many parts of the city.

The two fires highlight the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures and emergency response capabilities in Dhaka. While no lives were lost in these incidents, the destruction of homes and livelihoods underscores the vulnerability of low-income communities and small businesses to such disasters.

Authorities are expected to investigate the causes of both fires and assess the extent of the damage. In the meantime, affected families and business owners will need support to rebuild and recover from their losses.

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