A massive fire has been burning for more than three hours at the Karail slum near Dhaka’s Mohakhali, causing extensive damage and leaving thousands in fear of losing their homes.

Nineteen units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence have been working to bring the flames under control, but as of 8:30pm, large tongues of fire were still visible. Locals joined in by throwing water from nearby sources, yet the blaze continued to spread to adjacent houses, eyewitnesses said.

The fire broke out at 5:22pm, prompting the immediate deployment of seven units. More units were later added as the fire rapidly intensified. However, authorities have yet to confirm the origin of the fire or estimate the total damage.

Many slum dwellers stood in shock as their tin-and-bamboo homes were reduced to ashes. Emergency responders said the densely packed settlement, with its narrow lanes and highly flammable structures, made the fire spread quickly.

Karail—spanning nearly 90 acres beside Gulshan and Banani—is home to around ten thousand dwellings. The area has seen several major fires before, including incidents in February this year and in March and December of last year, which left hundreds of families homeless.

Officials said it is too early to determine the cause of the fire until preliminary investigations are completed.