Three of a Family Critical After Gas Leak Explosion in Dhaka

Three members of a family sustained severe burns in a fire suspected to be caused by a gas leak in Dhaka's Bhatara Notun Bazar area early Tuesday (July 21).

The victims—Shahin (24) his wife Fahima Akhtar (21) and his niece Hafsa Akhtar (8)—are in critical condition at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

The fire broke out around 4:00 am in a ground-floor apartment of a six-story building on 100 Feet Road. Initial reports indicate the residence is connected to the Titas gas network. Authorities suspect gas leaked and accumulated in the closed room overnight eventually igniting when it came into contact with a spark from a morning cooking attempt or electrical source.

Dr. Shaon bin Rahman resident surgeon at the burn institute confirmed the severity of the injuries. Shahin suffered 50% burns to his body Fahima sustained 45% burns and eight-year-old Hafsa suffered 40% burns. Medical staff have listed all three patients as critical.