Staff Correspondent

A pre-dawn devastating fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, tore through the Sat Tola slum in Mohakhali, reducing over a hundred homes and shops to ashes on Wednesday.

Though the fire was brought under control by morning, the damage suffered by the residents is immeasurable.

A visit to the site on Wednesday (12 March) revealed the extent of the destruction. While no casualties were reported, many residents lost their homes and belongings, leaving them in distress.

According to those affected, the fire broke out at about 3:20 am. Due to the predominance of tin-roofed houses, the flames spread rapidly.

Although the firefighters arrived promptly, the blaze had already engulfed a significant portion of the slum.

Hemayet, a shopkeeper who lost his business in the fire, said, “As it is Ramadan, many people were awake. That is why there were no fatalities despite the fire spreading quickly. Everyone managed to escape with only the clothes they were wearing.”

Another victim, Enayet, shared his ordeal saying, “I had Tk 2 lakh saved in a drawer in my house. I was asleep when I heard people screaming. I rushed outside with my wife and child, only to see flames everywhere. When I returned after the fire was doused, I found everything reduced to ashes, including my savings.”

Farida Akhter, one of the affected residents, was seen sifting through the charred debris in search of unburnt rice. “Our home is gone. We have lost money, jewellery, household items—everything. Now, I am just trying to salvage some rice so we can at least have something to eat,” she said in despair.

According to the Fire Service, they were informed about the blaze at 3:40 am on Tuesday night.

The first unit reached the scene within ten minutes, and by 5:20 am, a total of eight units had managed to bring the fire under control.

More than 150 homes and several shops were affected by the fire. Fire service officials confirmed that the blaze originated due to an electrical short circuit, resulting in significant damage and loss for the slum’s inhabitants.