100 shanties gutted at Korail Beltala slum

At least 100 shanties at Korail Beltala slum in the capital's Mohakhali were burnt to ashes last night. 

Originating around 8:00pm from a blast of a television due to short circuit in a house at the slum, the fire immediately engulfed adjacent houses, made of tin, wood and bamboo, Rana Ahmed, owner of a burnt shop, told The Daily Star.

Rana and many other dwellers alleged a group of people looted houses as they (dwellers) were out of houses during the fire.

"A refrigerator and a television were also looted from my shop", claimed Rana.

 Mozzamel Haque, deputy director of the fire service, said 11 fire fighting units rushed to the spot and doused the flame after an hour of frantic efforts.

Five people were injured in the incident.

The extent of damages could not be known immediatlty.