A devastating fire destroys a crowded slum and leaves thousands homeless in Bangladesh capital

A devastating fire in a crowded slum int the heart of Bangladesh’s capital has destroyed 1,500 shanties, leaving thousands homeless, authorities said Wednesday. The blaze, which began Tuesday evening at the massive Korail slum in Dhaka, was doused Wednesday after 16 hours, said Rashed Bin Khalid, a duty officer at the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence. The fire service's director, Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, said about 1,500 shanties were burned or damaged in the blaze and thousands remained homeless.