10 injured after explosion at Chattogram cylinder warehouse

Doctors say that between 20 and 70 percent of their bodies have been burnt

At least 10 people have suffered burns after an explosion sparked a fire at a cylinder sales warehouse in Chattogram's Chandanaish.

The incident occurred at 6:50am on Wednesday at the Mahbub Rahman Traders store in the Bailtoli Yunus Market area, according to the Fire Service.

The Fire Service's Agrabad Control Room said that following the explosion, a fire broke out at the site, leaving several people injured.

Firefighters from Chandanaish Fire Station reached the scene and took control of the fire around 9am.

Locals said that the fire started while gas cylinders were being unloaded from a truck in the morning, triggering the explosion. The flames then spread through the warehouse, causing cylinders to explode and fly off in different directions.

Sub-Inspector Md Alauddin of the Chattogram Medical College Hospital Police Outpost said that 10 people were brough to the hospital with burn wounds around 8:15am. All of them were admitted to the burn unit.

The injured have been identified as store owner Mahbubur Rahman, 45, Saurav Rahman, 25, Md Kapil, 22, Md Riaz, 17, Md Yunus, 26, Md Akib, 17, Md Harun, 29, Md Idris, 30, Md Liton, 28, and Md Saleh, 33.

Doctors said that between 20 and 70 percent of their bodies have been burnt, and their airways have also been damaged.

“When the respiratory system is affected, the patients’ condition can deteriorate at any time. They will need ICU support,” said Dr S Khaled of the CMCH burn unit.