The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Some 400 slum-dwelling houses burnt into ashes when a devastating fire broke out at a slum at Tejgaon in the city yesterday evening.

Though none was killed in the incident, properties worth Tk 50 lakh of poor slum dwellers burnt into ashes, witnesses said.

The Fire Service sources said the fire originated from an electric short-circuit at congested slum near the North Begunbari post office under the Tejgaon police station at about 6:00pm. Instantly the flame engulfed the entire slum burning some 400 dwelling houses into ashes.

At least 50 of the slum dwellers were injured when they ran here and there to escape from the fire. Hearing their wailing, local people rushed to the spot to help them.

Receiving information, five fire-fighting units from the Fire Service headquarters and police went to the spot and succeeded to bring the inferno under control at about 7:00pm. However, most of the 400 bamboo-made dwelling houses burnt into ashes.

Fire Service officials claimed thay had succeeded to reduce the losses by dousing the fire in time. But, they could not say anything else whether anyone was killed in the incident.