Fire Service Inspects Site of Deadly Halishahar Explosion

A Fire Service and Civil Defense investigation committee inspected the site of a fatal explosion in Halishahar on Wednesday. At 10:00 AM, team members arrived at 'Halima Manzil,' a six-story building in the H Block area near the AC Mosque. The probe focused on the third-floor flat where the blast occurred on February 24. Experts examined gas line connections, internal piping, and the building’s overall safety infrastructure to identify the source of the ignition.

The tragedy has now claimed six lives. The most recent victim, 30-year-old Md. Shipon Hossain, succumbed to his injuries on March 1. Other deceased family members include Md. Sakhawat Hossain (46), Ashura Akhter Pakhi (30), Samir Ahmed Sumon (40), Nurjahan Akhter Rani (40), and 16-year-old Shaon. Three other family members remain in critical condition at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

A five-member high-level committee, formed on February 26, has been tasked with submitting a final report within 15 working days.

"We are investigating all possibilities, including leaked line gas, cylinder malfunction, or mechanical faults," said Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Deputy Director of Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defense. "A detailed report will clarify the cause and address building safety lapses."