A catastrophic fire erupted in Korail, one of Dhaka’s largest and most densely populated slums, on Tuesday evening, reducing thousands of tin-roofed shanties to ashes and leaving countless residents homeless. The blaze, which began shortly after sunset, illuminated the night sky with towering orange flames and enveloped the area in thick smoke, forcing residents to flee with whatever possessions they could salvage. Firefighters faced significant challenges in their response, initially delayed by heavy traffic and further hampered by the slum’s narrow lanes, which prevented fire trucks from reaching the heart of the inferno. Instead, crews were forced to drag hoses through cramped alleys and struggled to secure sufficient water to combat the flames. After more than five hours of intense effort, the fire was finally brought under control. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and while no casualties have been reported, the destruction is described as near-total. Residents like Amena Begum, who lost everything, expressed despair over their uncertain future. This incident highlights ongoing issues with lax regulations and poor enforcement in Bangladesh, where similar fires have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.