Hundreds of families in Dhaka’s Korail slum were left homeless and spent a night under the open sky after a devastating fire destroyed hundreds of homes, local residents said.
Jahanara Begum, sitting helplessly in front of her burnt house, told reporters that smoke was still rising even after fire service teams brought the blaze under control. “After Maghrib yesterday, suddenly there was a sound, and then smoke started rising. We hurriedly took our fridge and two gas cylinders and went to the main road with our family,” she said. The fire was controlled late at night by the authorities.
“At night, my family and I stayed under the open sky,” Jahanara added. “Apart from the clothes on our bodies, we had nothing. Many families spent the night like this. Living without blankets in this cold is extremely difficult. Everything has turned to ashes. I have never felt such helplessness in my life.”
Recurring tragedy
Jahanara recalled that the slum had faced a similar fire in 2017. “Everything has been lost again,” she said, noting that her husband’s small food business was also damaged. On 26 November, remnants of cooked food—fish, meat, chicken, eggs, and snacks—were seen scattered and ruined.
Alim, another resident, said, “Everything disappeared before my eyes. I could do nothing, and now I can’t even think clearly about what to do next.” He, too, spent the night in front of his burnt home with his family. “Where could I go? We stayed here like helpless people,” he said.
Residents whose homes were worst affected reportedly spent the night in Ershad Field, Tin Field, or under the open sky.
Motherhood and anxiety
Moshammad Morium Begum, pregnant and living with two small children, said she was particularly vulnerable as her husband was away and her delivery was due in two months. “I had no idea where to go or what to do. Ultimately, I spent the night in Ershad Park Field holding my two children. They were shivering from the cold,” she said. In the morning, she found all her belongings destroyed. “I had rented a small room for 4,000 taka and built a household there. Now I don’t know what to do. We earn a living by working in others’ houses. Why did Allah leave us in this condition?”
Search for hope
Families who lost everything—including divorced women, widows, and the elderly—remain on the streets hoping for assistance, particularly from the government.
Origin of the fire
The fire reportedly started from a cylinder in Mentu Mia’s house. One by one, the slum’s houses turned to ashes. Around 500–600 homes were completely destroyed and another 1,500 partially damaged. Residents are sifting through ashes to recover daily-use items. Some valuables may remain, but most have been destroyed. Neighboring residents brought sacks of clothes, though distribution has been uneven.
Aid and relief efforts
Multiple organizations have stepped in to assist affected families. The Dhaka Metropolitan North convening committee has been distributing food since 25 November, and the supply will continue. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Alo Health Service Clinic have provided primary medical care and medicines.
Alo Health Service Clinic workers said their team reached the site immediately after the fire. Several people were sheltered at their office, including two pregnant women who panicked due to imminent delivery. On 26 November morning, the team brought two more pregnant women to the office camp; one delivered safely, while the other was admitted to hospital.
BRAC’s Badda branch is preparing a list of affected families and promised financial and other assistance, including potential waivers for those who had taken loans or instalments. City Corporation field workers said each family will receive blankets, food, and 5,000 taka in financial aid. The Ministry of Social Welfare will conduct surveys to provide further assistance.
Other NGOs, including BRAC, Red Crescent Society, Action Aid, and Sajeda Foundation, are also collecting data and preparing relief. Sajeda Foundation’s mental health coordinator, Md Asad Al Ahsan, said the organization is providing mental health support and will later distribute food, diapers, and sanitary facilities. He emphasized that toilets are a critical need, especially in post-fire conditions.
A deep mark of sorrow
The night under the open sky, the shock of losing all belongings, and the insecurity for families have left a deep mark of sorrow on the lives of Korail slum residents. Their only hope now is assistance, particularly from the government, to help rebuild their lives.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for empathy and support for those who are truly helpless.
