A 16-year-old boy was killed when a fire broke out at a dwelling house in Bakhunda Purba Para in Sadar upazila of Faridpur district on Sunday night.

The deceased was identified as Tamim Mia, son of Rafique Mia, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Dubai.

Local people said the fire originated at Rafique Mia’s house around 11pm and spread soon.

On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze about two hours of effort, said Md Nazrul Islam, Station Officer of Faridpur Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters.

Two tin-shed houses and valuables, including a motorcycle, TV and refrigerator, were gutted in the fire.

Tamim, who was inside the house at the time, sustained severe burn injuries as other family members were attending a social programme elsewhere.

He was later taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The fire might have originated from an electrical short circuit, said station officer Nazrul.

However, the victim’s family alleged that the fire might have been set intentionally due to a land dispute with their neighbours.

A general diary was lodged with Sadar Police Station.

Azmir Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) said the body was sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police said the exact cause of the fire will be determined after investigation.