Fire rips thru Gabtoli slum, more than 150 shanties gutted

A fire broke out at the Shahi Masjid slum in the capital's Gabtoli area early Thursday, destroying over 150 shanties before it was brought under control after more than an hour, reports UNB.

Warehouse Inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) media cell Anwarul Islam said the fire started at 3:08am, and the first firefighting unit reached the scene within four minutes.

Eight units of firefighters worked to contain the blaze, which was brought under control at 4:36am and fully extinguished by 6:10am.

Duty Officer Rafi Al Farooq of the Fire Service Headquarters Control Room said a parked bus and several shops were also burnt.

The extent of estimated loss could be around Tk 1 crore.

No casualties have been reported so far, and the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.