At least six people suffered burn injuries and a two-storey building collapsed following an explosion caused by a suspected gas leak in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, early Wednesday (June 18) morning.

The incident occurred around 7:15 am at a residential house in the Badhiarpar area near Mandal Market in Nishchintapur. 

The injured were identified as Jahanara (40), Jewel (24), Shanto (21), Hawa Akter (23), Zahurul Islam (26), and Nasir (38). 

Nasir was discharged after receiving first aid, while the others remain hospitalized, with two reported to be in critical condition.

Witnesses and authorities said gas had leaked overnight and accumulated inside a ground-floor room before igniting during morning cooking activities.

Locals alleged that the building, owned by one Jewel Mia, was constructed with substandard materials and lacked proper planning. 

The structure was reduced to rubble in the explosion, which also shattered windows of adjacent houses and sparked a fire.

“There was a gas leak in the riser of Zahurul Islam’s room on the ground floor. The gas built up overnight as the windows and doors remained shut. When a flame was lit for cooking in the morning, it triggered the explosion,” said Shamim Mia, manager of the building.

Al Rifat Talukder, duty officer of the Jirabo Model Fire Service, confirmed that the blast was caused by a gas leak and not a cylinder explosion. 

“Initial findings suggest gas from the line had accumulated. A full investigation is underway,” he said.

Firefighters and police reached the site shortly after the explosion and have cordoned off the area as part of the investigation.

SMS/