2 committees formed to probe fire after gas explosion in Chattogram

Two separate investigation committees have been formed after nine people were burnt after a gas explosion at a flat in a six-storey building in Halishahar of Chattogram.

Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) and the Fire Service formed the committees on Tuesday.

KGDCL General Manager Kabir Uddin Ahmed said that a three-member committee has been asked to submit a report within three working days. They will investigate the cause of the accident.

Alamgir Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Agrabad Fire Service, said that the Fire Service is also conducting a separate investigation.

A flat on the third floor of the 'Halima Manzil' building in H Block Halishahar caught fire after a loud explosion at 4:30 am on Monday. Neighbours said that the residents came out of the house with their bodies on fire. Three of the nine people who were burnt have died.

Nurjahan Akhter Rani,40, died on the way to Dhaka. Later, her 16-year-old son Shaon and Shaon's uncle Samir also died. Rani's body was 100 percent burned, Shaon's 50 percent and Samir's 45 percent.

Among the burned victims are Rani's husband Sakhawat Hossain, daughter Umme Aiman ​​Snigdha, Samir's wife Ashura Akhtar Pakhi, their children Ayesha and Farhan Ahmed Anas and Sakhawat's other brother Shipon Hossain. Pakhi and Sakhawat's bodies are 100 percent burned, Shipon's 80 percent, Aiman's 38 percent, Ayesha's 45 percent and Anas' 30 percent burned.

Garage owner Sakhawat rented the flat one and a half year ago. He lived there with his wife, children and an employee. A few days ago, his younger brother went there with his family for treatment.

After the accident, the fire service initially suspected that the explosion could have been caused by gas accumulated in the house. The real reason will be known through investigation.