Explosion in Chittagong

At least five people have been injured in an explosion at a madrassa in Lalkhan Bazar area in Chittagong.

The explosion occurred around 11:00am on Monday at Jameyatul Ulum Al Islamia Madrassa run by Hifazat-e-Islam central leader Mufti Izaharul Islam Chowdhury.

Agrabad Fire Station official Monayem Billah told bdnews24.com that they rushed to the spot on hearing of the explosions from the locals.

The injured, identified as Abdullah, Khalek, Jabbar, Karim and Amanullah were taken to hospital, he said.

The explosion was heard from the third room of the first floor of a four-storey dormitory of the madrassa.

Khulshi Police Station’s Sub-Inspector (SI) Golam Newaz told bdnews24.com from the spot that the madrassa inmates have told him that a laptop was charging in that room.

There were a stove and a computer next to the laptop, he said.

The madrassa members said the UPS or the laptop might have exploded, the SI said.

All furniture in the room was burnt in the explosion.

Abdullah, a local, said the room caught fire immediately after the explosion.

The madrassa inmates doused the fire with water and sands, he said.

Agrabad Fire Service Station’s Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Malek said the reason of the explosion could not be ascertained as yet.

The fire is, however, under control, he said.

Panchlaish zone assistant police commissioner Abdur Rauf who went to the spot, told bdnews24.com, “I have heard that the fire occurred due to the explosion of the computer accessories in the dormitory.”

The firefighters are investigating the explosion, he said.

Locals and ruling Awami League affiliates Chhatra League and Jubo League took out a procession outside the madrassa after the incident.

Mufti Harun Izahar, son of Mufti Izahar, told bdnews24.com that he was not in the madrassa during the incident.

“But I heard all the belongings of the room got burnt after the UPS exploded,” he said.

Mufti Izahar is the president of the Nezame Islam Party.