Staff Reporter :
The massive fire that destroyed several thousand shanties at a slum in Mirpur- 7 of Dhaka has been under control early Saturday, Fire Service sources said.
Four persons, including a firefighter, were injured in the incident. Of them, firefighter Jewel Rana was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital while two others — Kabir and Habib — to different local hospitals in Mirpur.
Around 24 firefighting units with as many as 125 firefighters brought the blaze under control just early Saturday.
The fire turned thousands of lower-income slum dwellers homeless and left nothing for them other than charred valuables, and despair.Police, RAB, WASA, and other volunteers also assisted the Fire Service personnel to extinguish inferno.
Rupnagar Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Golam Rabbani said, “We have deployed enough police personnel to ensure that everything remains under control.”
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman have visited the spot.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service and Civil Defence has formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the incident of fire at Mirpur’s Jhilpar slum beside the Chalontika intersection of the city.
Md Habibur Rahman, Director of the Fire Service, said the committee led by a Deputy Director was formed to find out the cause behind the fire incident.
Fire Service men being divided into four groups were continuing their search operation since morning, he said.
“We will end our operation with the completion of the search,” Habibur added.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam visited the spot again in the afternoon and assured the victims that fundamental supports will continue for fire victims:
He said the DNCC would carry the medical expense of the injured.
The Mayor said along with the help of other authorities, they would take whatever steps necessary to assist the affected people.
The DNCC has managed drinking water, first aid, meals and makeshift toilets for the slum dwellers and will provide financial aid if requires, Atiqul added.
The victims will reside in some five to six school buildings until homes for them are built, he further said.
