Cylinder Explosion In Private Car While Filling Gas At Narsingdi Filling Station

A powerful gas cylinder explosion ripped through a private car while it was being refuelled at a CNG filling station in Narsingdi’s Shibpur upazila on Saturday, triggering panic among motorists and raising renewed concerns over vehicle safety standards. The incident occurred at around 11:00 am at the Star CNG Filling Station in the Kararchar area, located along the busy Dhaka–Sylhet highway.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the private car had entered the station to refill compressed natural gas when the cylinder suddenly exploded with a loud bang. The force of the blast was so intense that the vehicle was left completely mangled, with its metal body twisted and torn apart. Debris was scattered around the station premises, briefly disrupting traffic flow on the adjacent highway.

Remarkably, no fatalities were reported. The driver of the car and the station employee responsible for supplying gas narrowly escaped injury, as both were standing at a short distance from the vehicle at the moment of the explosion. However, another private car parked nearby sustained partial damage from the impact of flying debris and shockwaves.

Officials from the Itakhola Highway Police Station said they rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the explosion. Police secured the area, ensured that no further hazards were present, and later recovered the wrecked vehicle, which was taken to the police station for further examination. The driver of the damaged car, however, left the scene shortly after the incident. Law enforcement authorities are now attempting to trace him by using the vehicle’s registration details.

Monir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Itakhola Highway Police Station, confirmed that a General Diary (GD) has been lodged in connection with the incident. He stated that preliminary findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by an old or defective gas cylinder. “Initial evidence points to the possibility that the cylinder had exceeded its service life or was not properly maintained. A detailed investigation is under way to determine the exact cause,” he said.

Safety experts have long warned that ageing or illegally modified gas cylinders pose a serious risk, particularly at busy filling stations located along national highways. They emphasise the importance of routine inspection, timely replacement of cylinders, and strict enforcement of safety regulations at both the vehicle and station levels.

The incident has once again highlighted the potential dangers associated with CNG-powered vehicles if safety protocols are ignored. Authorities have indicated that further action may be taken following the completion of the investigation, including possible legal measures against those found responsible for negligence.

Key Facts of the Incident

As traffic volumes continue to rise on major highways like Dhaka–Sylhet, officials and experts alike stress that ensuring compliance with safety standards is essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.