Fire tears through Dhaka’s Korail slum, destroying 1,500 homes

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) — A massive fire has ripped through Dhaka’s largest slum, Korail, destroying about 1,500 homes and leaving thousands displaced, according to Bangladesh’s fire service.

The blaze erupted late Tuesday in the densely packed settlement, which borders the capital’s upscale Gulshan and Banani neighborhoods. It took 19 firefighting units nearly five hours to bring the flames under control, and officials said the fire was fully extinguished by Wednesday morning. No casualties have been reported so far.

Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of the Fire Service and Civil Defense, said narrow access routes and highly flammable building materials allowed the fire to spread quickly. He noted that investigators will assess both the damage and the cause, but initial observations revealed dangerous conditions throughout the settlement.

“While extinguishing the fire, it was found that electric wires run everywhere, and there are gas cylinders in every house — conditions that accelerate fires,” he told reporters, adding that fire incidents typically rise during winter.

Korail, home to an estimated 10,000 structures across roughly 90 acres, has suffered repeated fires, including major incidents in February, March, and December last year.

Interim government head Muhammad Yunus expressed deep concern over the destruction and extended condolences to affected families. He said authorities will provide necessary rehabilitation support and ordered a full investigation, along with stronger safety measures to prevent future disasters.