Nearly 1,500 houses were reduced to ashes in a horrific fire that broke out in the capital’s Karail slum on Tuesday evening. After the fire was extinguished, thousands of people are now spending the night under the open sky, facing the harsh reality of cold, hunger and homelessness.
On Wednesday morning, layers of burnt wood, tin, and rubble were visible throughout the slum—the victims were trying to find a way to survive amidst it. Some were making temporary shelters by pulling up tarpaulins, others were trying to dry wet clothes. The plight of children and the elderly was most noticeable.
A woman named Shafia Begum said, “Everything was burnt. We had to spend the night without food and blankets.” Rickshaw puller Abdul Karim complained, “I was outside with my family all night. Everyone took pictures, but we haven’t received any relief yet.”
The fire service said the fire started in a house in Boubazar. The fire spread quickly due to the dense area, narrow roads and water shortage. The fire was brought under control at 10:35 pm after about five hours of efforts by 19 units.
Fire Service Director Lt. Col. Tajul Islam said the number of houses damaged was estimated at 1,500, but the exact number would be known after an investigation. “Valuable time was lost after the fire broke out due to the narrow roads and traffic congestion in the area,” he said.
The night after the fire was dark, filled with smoke and the sighs of helpless people in Karail—the urgent need for humanitarian assistance is now evident.