Woman, , two daughters severely injured

A woman and her two daughters suffered burn injuries in a fire that broke out following an explosion in a residential building in Feni, said police.

The incident was reported from Shaheed Shahidullah Kaisar Road on Friday.

The victims have been identified as Mehebunnesa, 40, wife of Mahbubul Islam who lives in Dubai, and their two daughters – 18-year-old Farah Islam, and 14-year-old Hafsa Islam.

Sudip Chandra, the inspector of Feni police camp, said the explosion occurred on the fourth floor of the five-story residential building, named Shafique Mansion, around 10:30 pm on Friday. The fire broke out following the explosion.

Abul Kalam, a caretaker of the building, rushed to the fourth floor and spotted the trio lying on the floor. He immediately rushed them to a local hospital.

The blast damaged the window panes of flats on other floors of the building. A crack has also developed on the building, according to the police.

The blast shattered all windows and doors on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the building. The balcony grill of the building was also destroyed.

Upon receiving the news, two units of the fire service came to the spot. 

Dr. Nayan Chandra Debnath, a doctor at the emergency department of the hospital, said the condition of two of the victims "is critical" as both of them suffered 50% burns. 

They have been shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), he added.

A probe has been ordered into the explosion, police said. However, they are suspecting the fire could have been caused by a gas stove.

“Leakage from a gas stove in the home is thought to be the cause of explosion and fire, said Feni Superintendent of Police Khandaker Nurunnabi.

Police’s Bomb Disposal Unit also visited the scene to investigate the reason behind such a massive explosion.

“They did not find any trace of explosives. However the investigation is ongoing,” he said adding that an expert team of PBI (Police Bureau of Investigation) and CID (Criminal Investigation Department) from Dhaka is conducting the probe. 

A four-member team led by DMP Bomb Disposal Team Inspector Modasser Kaiser visited the site at Shafiq Mansion. Another team of the Criminal Investigation Team led by SI Nazmul Hasan also visited the place.

DMP's bomb disposal team is initially speculating a leak from a gas stove in the home could lead to an explosion as they haven’t found any signs of explosions so far.

The injured family hails from Chattaria village under the Mirsarai police station in Chattogram district.