A sudden explosion rocked a second-floor flat in Halima Manjil, Halishahar, Chattogram, early yesterday, leaving the dining table still set with dishes and leftovers from sehri. Md Suman, recently returned from Portugal, was with his brothers Shakhawat and Shipon at the table waiting for Fajr prayers when the blast, believed to be due to a gas leak, occurred around 4:30 am. The incident took place at House 18, Road 1, Block H of the Halishahar Residential Area.
Nine family members present during the explosion sustained injuries, with burn degrees ranging from 25 to 100 percent. Among them, Suman’s wife Pakhi, Shakhawat, and his wife Rani suffered full-body burns, as per medical reports. The victims, originally from Barura upazila in Cumilla, were rushed to the Burn and Plastic Surgery unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital before being referred to Dhaka.
Tragically, Nur Jahan Begum Rani passed away en route to Dhaka. Dr. Rafique Ahmed, head of the CMCH burn unit, mentioned that all patients suffered from burns and inhalation injuries, with Shakhawat, Rani, and Pakhi having 100 percent burns. The scene at the burn unit was somber, with the victims facing severe injuries beyond skin deep, including lung damage from inhaling superheated air and toxic gases.
Fire Service officials suspect a gas leak triggered the explosion, emphasizing the dangers of gas accumulation in closed spaces. The blast, which occurred at 4:30 am, was contained by five firefighting units by 5:30 am. The building was cordoned off by the police, prompting concerns over residential safety and gas line maintenance in densely populated areas.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the explosion originated from the second-floor flat, causing extensive damage to the dining area and bedrooms. The building owner confirmed the functional state of the gas pipeline but investigations into the exact cause of the explosion are ongoing. Assistant explosives inspector SM Shakhawat Hossain confirmed the blast’s origin and suggested a long-term gas leak as the likely cause, ignited by a spark or fire.