United News of Bangladesh

Two separate probe bodies have been formed over the blast apparently from gas leak at a flat in a building in Halishahar area of Chattogram city that claimed lives of three people till Tuesday. Mohammad Jashim Uddin, deputy-director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense, said a five-member committee has been formed to look into the explosion. The committee has been asked to submit its report within next week. Meanwhile,  Kabir Uddin Ahmed, General Manager of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL)  formed a three-member committee to probe the blast. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days. The explosion occurred at a flat on the third floor of ‘Halima Manzil’ in Halishahar area around 4:30am on Monday, triggering a fire that left nine people injured. Three of the injured have died while six others are battling for their lives at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Nurjahan Akter Rani, 40, died on the way to Dhaka for treatment. Later, her 16-year-old son Shawon and his uncle Samir also succumbed to their injuries. Rani suffered 100 percent burns, while Shawon and Samir sustained 50 percent and 45 percent burns respectively. Those currently undergoing treatment include Rani’s husband Sakhawat Hossain, their daughter Umme Aiman Snigdha, Samir’s wife Ashura Akter Pakhi, their children Ayesha and Farhan Ahmed Anas, and Sakhawat’s brother Shipon Hossain. Pakhi and Sakhawat sustained 100 percent burns, Shipon 80 percent, Aiman 38 percent, Ayesha 45 percent and Anas 30 percent, hospital sources said. Sakhawat, a garage owner, had rented the flat about one and a half years ago and lived there with his wife, children and an employee. His younger brother recently moved in with his family for medical treatment. Fire Service officials suspect that accumulated gas inside the flat may have caused the explosion though the exact reason will be determined after investigation.