Nine charred to death as major fire tears through Bangladesh slum

Dhaka: A major fire in Bangladesh gutted over 200 shanties, killing at least nine persons including two children in the port city of Chittagong Sunday.

The devastating blaze broke out in the wee hours when most of the slum dwellers were asleep, Dhaka Tribune reported. The reason behind the fire was not immediately known. Nine people, including two children, have been burned to death at a slum in Chaktai area, the report said.

According to the officials, the fire, which destroyed over 200 shanties, started at Bhera Market slum around 3:32 AM (local time). It took nearly five hours to control the raging fire, the report added.

A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.