Midnight fire guts over 50 shanties at a Mohakhali slum

More than 50 shanties were burned to ashes in a fire that broke out at Sattola slum in the capital's Mohakhali area on Monday night.

"The fire originated at around 11:47pm on Monday. After more than one and half hours of effort, 11 fire fighting units brought the blaze under control," said Debashis Bardhan, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defense (Dhaka Division).

While briefing media, Fire Service's Director (Operation) Jillur Rahman said, "Soon after the origination, the fire engulfed more than 40 shanties and we assume around 60 shanties were gutted till the fire was brought under control."

However, the fire service official could not confirm about the reason of the fire and extent of damage immediately.

"The operation is still underway and a probe committee will be formed by a day or two to investigate the fire incident," he added.

More than 100 shanties were gutted in another fire at the same slum on 12 December in 2016.