Man, niece die six hours apart in Bhatara gas explosion, wife ‘critical’

Another couple have suffered severe burns in a separate gas fire in Savar

An uncle and his 8-year-old niece have died after suffering burns in a suspected gas explosion and fire at a house in Dhaka's Bhatara, while the man's wife remains in intensive care.

The three family members were burned in the pre-dawn blaze at a house near the 100 Feet Road of Notun Bazar on Tuesday.

The child, identified only as Hafsa, died in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Her uncle, 24-year-old Md Shahin, passed away there around 6am on Friday, about six hours later.

Shahin's wife, identified with single name Fahima, remains in the ICU in critical condition, doctors said.

Resident physician Shawon Bin Rahman said three burn victims had been brought to the institute after a gas leak explosion at the Bhatara house.

He said Shahin had suffered burns to 50 percent of his body, while Hafsa had burns over 40 percent.

Fahima sustained burns to 45 percent of her body and remains in critical condition.

Neighbour Md Jasim said Shahin worked at a local shop and lived with his family on the ground floor of a six-storey building on 100 Feet Road.

He said a gas leak triggered a powerful explosion before dawn. Neighbours rescued the family and took them to hospital.

Garment Worker Couple Burnt in Savar Fire

In a separate incident, a garment worker couple suffered severe burns after a fire broke out in their home near Majidpur Dighirpar of Savar.

Relatives said the fire started when they struck a match to light a mosquito coil, igniting gas that had accumulated inside the room.

Md Kaiser's father Siman Sheikh said his son, 28, and daughter-in-law, 24-year-old Ruby Begum, lived on the ground floor of a two-storey building.

He said neighbours broke open the door and rescued the couple after the blaze.

They were taken to the burn institute around 3am on Friday.

Dr Shawon said Kaiser had suffered burns to 100 percent of his body, while Ruby sustained burns to 80 percent. Both remain in critical condition in the ICU.