DHAKA: At least 400 shanties were gutted in a devastating fire at Hazaribagh Slum in the capital on Thursday night.

Nine fire fighting units doused the fire at around 09:40pm after one hour frantic trying.

Fire service control room officer Anzum Rashid told banglanews, “The fire originated from a short circuit at around 08:45pm.”

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-2 commanding officer Major Rakib said, “Nine fire fighting units including RAB fire service doused the fire. The loss of fire was comparatively low as slum dwellers went to village homes to enjoy Eid.”

Fire services director (operations) Major Mahbubur Rahman told banglanews, “Around 4-hundred houses were gutted in the fire.”

Administrator of Dhaka City Corporation (south) Nazmul Islam visited the spot and said that a list would be made to compensate the victims.

BDST: 0859 HRS, OCT 18, 2013
MR/AKA/GCP