Ershad Hossain, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Central Control Room, said the fire originated from a shanty of the slum at Chalantika intersection on the west side of Al Arabia Mosque around 7:20pm and it soon engulfed the adjoining ones.
On information, 24 firefighting units rushed in and brought the fire under control around 10:30pm, said Lt Col Zillur Rahman, director (Operations) of the Fire Service Headquarters, while briefing reporters at the spot.
He also it took more time to bring the fire under control for lack of water sources in nearby areas.
They were yet to ascertain the extent of losses, the fire service official said.
The firefighters rescued three injured people and took them to hospital.
Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam and local MP Elias Mollah visited the spot.
Talking to reporters, the mayor said shelter centres were opened at local schools for the victims while the city corporation will arrange food for them.