The dead was identified as Rehana, 17, daughter of Bulu Sarder, a day labourer.

The fire originated from a kitchen of a shanty at about 2:45pm and soon engulfed the entire slum, rendering over 6,000 people homeless, according to a general diary (GD) filed with Khulna Police Station at 7:30pm.

Fire fighting units assisted by the firemen of Bangladesh Navy brought the blaze under control at around 5:15pm.

The damage caused by the fire was estimated at over Tk 15 crore, Fire Brigade and police sources said.

According to the deputy commissioner, the financial loss caused by the fire may exceed Tk 5 crore. He sent a fax message to the higher authorities, seeking emergency relief for the victims.

Fire victims have taken shelters in nearby houses of the unaffected people, business establishments and schools.

Khulna city Mayor Shaikh Tayebur Rahman distributed 1200 blankets and Tk 1 lakh among the fire victims. The mayor has fervently appealed to the affluent people of the city to come forward with financial and material help for the victims.

Khulna city and district Awami League jointly distributed food among the fire victims. Leaders of the BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal also distributed relief goods and winter clothes.

Different NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have also joined relief operation. Over one hundred tents have been provided for the victims for temporary rehabilitation.

Our staff correspondent reported that two small plastic industries were gutted in a fire at Lalbagh in the capital yesterday.

Fire Brigade sources said the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a plastic industry belonging to Alauddin on the first floor of Hazi M Iqbal Hossain's house in South Islambagh at about 12:13pm.

The fire soon engulfed another plastic industry of Sarfuddin housed on the ground floor of the house. Plastic goods and machines of both the industries were gutted.

Fire fighters from Lalbagh and Palassey rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze at 1:10pm.