Two members of the same family have died after suffering severe burn injuries in a gas cylinder explosion in the Bhataara area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. The victims, 25-year-old Anwar Hossain Shahin and his eight-year-old niece Hafsa, succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Anwar’s wife, Fahima Akter, remains in critical condition in the institute’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
According to hospital authorities, Hafsa died on Friday morning while undergoing treatment in the ICU. Anwar had passed away late on Thursday night after doctors’ efforts to save his life proved unsuccessful.
The deaths were confirmed by Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, Resident Surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. He said Anwar had sustained burns to approximately 50 per cent of his body, while Hafsa suffered burns covering around 40 per cent. Fahima Akter, who was injured in the same incident, has burns on roughly 45 per cent of her body and continues to receive intensive medical care. Doctors have described her condition as critical.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at a rented ground-floor flat in the Notun Bazar 100 Feet area under Bhataara Police Station. The fire broke out immediately after a gas cylinder reportedly exploded, leaving all three family members with severe burn injuries. They were rescued from the scene and rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where they were admitted for emergency treatment.
Based on the initial accounts of the victims and local residents, it is believed that gas may have leaked through a defect or small opening in the cylinder or one of its connections. The accumulated gas is then thought to have ignited after coming into contact with an ignition source, triggering the explosion and rapidly spreading flames throughout the room. The exact cause of the incident has not yet been officially established, and any technical findings would depend on the outcome of the relevant investigation.
Family members said Anwar Hossain Shahin worked at a clothing shop in Dhaka. He had married Fahima Akter about six months ago, and the couple had recently begun their married life in the rented flat in Bhataara. Hafsa had been visiting her uncle and aunt when the explosion occurred, turning what was meant to be a routine family visit into a devastating tragedy.
Gas cylinders are widely used in homes across Bangladesh, particularly in areas where pipeline gas is unavailable or unreliable. Fire safety specialists have long advised households to inspect cylinders, regulators and connecting hoses regularly, ensure proper ventilation, and take immediate precautions if the smell of leaking gas is detected. Such measures can significantly reduce the risk of explosions and fire-related accidents.
The incident has left a young family shattered, with two lives lost within days of the explosion and another family member continuing to fight for survival. The tragedy has also renewed concerns about domestic gas safety and the importance of proper handling, maintenance and inspection of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders in residential buildings.
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