A tragic fire at the residence of BNP leader in Lakshmipur has claimed the lives of three people, including a woman named Smriti, who succumbed to her injuries while undergoing medical treatment.

Salma Akhter Smriti, the 17-year-old eldest daughter of BNP leader Belal Hossain, succumbed to her injuries after spending five days in the ICU of the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit.

She was injured in a fire that occurred at her father's residence in the Charmansa area of Bhabaniganj, Lakshmipur. Tragically, her infant daughter Ayesha Akhter also lost her life in the incident, marking the death of both of Belal's daughters. The confirmation of Smriti's death was provided by Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi, the Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) in Lakshmipur, on Thursday morning, December 25. Smriti passed away during treatment on the night of December 24.

She was the daughter of Belal Hossain, who serves as the co-organizing secretary of the Bhabaniganj Union BNP in Sadar Upazila, and he himself sustained burns in the same incident.

Reports indicate that on the night of December 19, assailants locked the door from the outside and set fire to Belal's house in the Sutargopta area of Charmansa village, using petrol. The fire resulted in the destruction of the house and its contents, as well as the tragic death of his younger daughter Ayesha. Both Smriti and her middle sister, 14-year-old Saima Akter Bithi, an eighth-grade student, were also severely burned in the blaze. Belal was taken to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital for treatment, while Smriti and Bithi were transferred to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit. Smriti suffered burns over 90 percent of her body, whereas Bithi had 5 percent burns. Bithi was discharged the day after her admission following treatment, but Smriti continued to fight for her life in the ICU until she ultimately passed away.

In the aftermath of the fire, four days later, BNP leader Belal filed a case at the Sadar Model Police Station on the night of December 23, naming unknown individuals as suspects. The police have been actively investigating the incident since it occurred, and they recovered three locks from the scene, two of which were found locked.