Three members of a family, including a child, suffered severe burn injuries in a fire triggered by a gas leak explosion at a residence in the capital’s Bhatara early Tuesday.
The victims were identified as Shahin, 24, his wife Fahima Akter, 21, and Shahin’s niece Hafsa, 8. They are undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The incident occurred around 4am on the ground floor of a six‑storey building on the 100‑feet road at Natun Bazar.
Neighbour Md Jashim Uddin, who helped in the rescue, said Shahin works at a clothing showroom and lives in the flat as a tenant. Hearing a loud explosion, he rushed to the flat and found the three severely burnt. He moved them to hospital for treatment.
It is suspected that gas leaked from a line and accumulated in the room overnight. The blast is believed to have been triggered when a stove was lit for cooking or by another spark in the morning.
Resident surgeon Shaon Bin Rahman of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery said Shahin sustained 50 percent burns, while Fahima and Hafsa suffered 45 percent and 40 percent burns respectively.
“The condition of all three victims is critical,” he added.
