Air Conditioner Blast Injures Three

A late-night fire triggered by an apparent air conditioner explosion has left three members of the same family severely burned in Old Dhaka. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in the densely populated neighbourhood of Narinda’s Maishundi area, sending shockwaves through the local community.

According to police sources, the blaze broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday when a domestic air conditioning unit reportedly exploded inside a residential flat. The explosion is believed to have sparked a rapid fire, engulfing part of the home before neighbours were able to respond.

The injured have been identified as Mukhtar Bepari, his wife Selina Begum, and their son Selim Bepari. All three are residents of the Maishundi locality. They were rescued and rushed to the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed the matter in the early hours of Friday morning. He stated that the victims sustained varying degrees of burn injuries, though the precise extent of their condition has not yet been publicly disclosed.

Local residents reported hearing a loud bang moments before flames became visible through the windows of the affected flat. Given the narrow lanes and tightly packed buildings typical of Old Dhaka, such incidents often pose significant risks of rapid fire spread. Fortunately, preliminary reports suggest that the blaze was contained before it could extend to neighbouring properties.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, authorities suspect a malfunction in the air conditioning unit, possibly linked to electrical faults or gas leakage within the system. Fire safety experts frequently warn that poorly maintained cooling appliances, especially during periods of heavy usage, can pose serious hazards.

Below is a summary of the incident:

Police have indicated that further inquiries are underway to determine the precise sequence of events. Meanwhile, residents have been urged to ensure regular maintenance of electrical appliances to prevent similar tragedies.