11 of 2 families hurt in N’ganj gas explosion

At least 11 people of two families suffered burn injuries after a gas explosion at a building in Paschim Talla area of Narayanganj Sadar upazila yesterday.

Six of the injured were sent to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka as their conditions were critical.

There might be a leak in gas connection or the residents did not turn off the stoves before going to sleep on Thursday night, said fire service officials.

That's why gas accumulated in the rooms. When dwellers tried to turn on the stove, it exploded around 6am.

"The gas explosion occurred in a flat on the second floor of the building. The victims were rushed to Narayanganj General Hospital at first," said Abdullah Al Arefin, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Narayanganj.

Five of the victims suffered 50 percent burn injuries, he told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, local administration sealed off the building as it was severely damaged due to the explosion. 

A seven-member probe body headed by an additional district magistrate has been formed to investigate the incident.

"The probe body includes officers from local administration, fire service, police and Titas gas. The committee has been asked to submit a report within seven working days. Necessary legal action will be taken on the basis of the report," said Mustain Billah, deputy commissioner of Narayanganj.

Locals said the building was constructed around 8 years ago. One Al-Amin owns the building, which is yet to be completed. There are 12 flats in it where 13 families reside. Two families shared a flat where the explosion occurred.

Visiting the spot, it was seen that a portion of wall of the building collapsed due to the explosion. Window glasses and doors were also smashed while furniture and clothes were burnt to ashes.

"I was walking early in the morning. Suddenly I heard a bang and the building started to shake. Then, I saw fire," said Arman Hossain, resident of another flat in the building.