Dhaka: Around 500 shanties in Korail slum in Dhaka North City were completely destroyed in a devastating fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon. 

Deputy assistant director of fire brigade Masudur Rahman Akhanda said the fire might have originated from an electric short circuit or a burning cigarette at a cotton shop of the slum at Boubazar area of Mohakhali at about  2:50pm.  

The fire gutted around 400 to 500 shanties belonging to the slum dwellers and left one person critically injured, he added.  

A total of 14 fire fighting units from different stations rushed to the spot and doused the blaze at about 4:15pm.  

Dhaka North City mayor Annisul Huq visited the place of occurrence soon after the fire broke out and announced to give compensation to the affected slum dwellers according to a list of the affected people, which is now being prepared.

He also said that the DNCC will provide food to the affected slum dwellers.