Four Burned in Illegal Gas Connection Explosion

Four labourers suffered burn injuries after a gas explosion while allegedly attempting to install an illegal gas connection in Narayanganj’s Fatullah late on Monday night. One of the victims remains in critical condition and has been admitted to the Emergency Department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where doctors said he sustained severe burn injuries.

The incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday in a house owned by Delowar Hossain in Chitashal 1st Lane under Kutubpur Union in Fatullah, according to local sources.

The critically injured worker has been identified as Ariful Islam, 35, son of Ali Azgar from Latabar village in Kaliganj upazila of Rangpur district. He had been living as a tenant near Delpara Bazar in Fatullah. The three other injured workers received comparatively minor burns and were treated locally. Their identities were not immediately available.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, sanitary mechanic Abdul Jalil described how the incident unfolded. He claimed that he had reached an agreement with Delowar Hossain to arrange a Titas Gas connection to the house by cutting through the road, for a payment of Tk 17,000. According to him, Delowar had already paid Tk 2,000 in advance, with the remaining amount to be settled after the work was completed.

Jalil said he informed a local gas contractor, identified as Masum from the Delpara area, about the arrangement. Masum reportedly assigned several workers, while Jalil brought Ariful Islam to assist with the job. The team began excavation during the night and exposed the underground gas pipeline before attempting to attach the connection.

He alleged that a powerful explosion occurred the moment they tried to connect the pipeline, leaving all four workers injured. Three of them escaped with relatively minor burns, but Ariful suffered extensive injuries and was rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for specialised treatment.

Doctors at the burn institute said Ariful sustained burns to approximately 65 per cent of his body, placing him in a critical condition. Medical staff continue to monitor his condition closely.

The incident has once again highlighted the serious dangers posed by unauthorised gas connections. Illegal modifications to natural gas distribution networks not only violate safety regulations but also expose workers, residents and surrounding properties to the risk of devastating explosions, fires and gas leaks. Utility authorities have repeatedly warned that only authorised personnel should carry out work involving gas pipelines because even a minor error can have catastrophic consequences.

Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam of Fatullah Model Police Station confirmed that police officers had been dispatched to the scene. He said the circumstances surrounding the explosion were being examined, and further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.