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Gas explosions from leaks claim lives, leave scores injured in Dhaka and other areas
Published : 28 Apr 2025, 01:42 AM
Rozina Akter, a resident of Dhaka’s Fakirapool, was cooking with her sister Kulsuma Akter when a gas leak ignited a fire, injuring both of them.
Rozina’s son Md Riaz was also injured while trying to save them.
All three were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Rozina recounted that on Sunday, as they lit the stove, gas accumulated inside the house ignited immediately.
She suffered burns on 2 percent of her body and has returned home after treatment.
However, Riaz, with 12 percent burns, and Kulsuma, with 15 percent burns, remain hospitalised.
Such incidents have become frequent in Dhaka and surrounding areas, with many patients seeking treatment but not all surviving.
The Burn Institute recorded 12,811 emergency visits for burns in 2024, with 4,680 admissions and 1,002 deaths — a 21 percent fatality rate among those admitted.
Old pipelines, faulty regulators, and pipe leaks are major causes, compounded by a lack of public awareness.
Most gas-related burn patients arrive from Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Keraniganj, according to the institute.
Experts warn that outdated supply lines and illegal connections increase explosion risks, while poor quality control of LPG cylinders and equipment further raises the danger.
Malfunctioning air conditioners during the summer also trigger fires, with one death reported in Dhaka this year.
Specialists advise inspections and repairs of cooling units before the summer.
DEATHS FROM GAS LEAKS
On Apr 15, in Gazipur's Choydana area, a fire caused by gas accumulation severely burnt three members of a family.
One of them, Haris Mia, with 65 percent burns, died on Friday, and his son Md Mainul Islam, who had 33 percent burns, died on Tuesday.
Haris’s wife, Ayesha Begum, is still hospitalised with 60 percent burns.
Haris’s daughter-in-law Hafsa Akter said they lived in Degechala Baliara.
The fire occurred between 6am and 6:30am.
“We were sleeping in another room. Hearing a loud noise, we found the house on fire. Both my father-in-law and mother-in-law caught fire. Doors and windows were blown apart. Locals rushed them to hospital,” she told bdnews24.com.
Earlier, on Mar 3, in Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj West Dhankunda area, eight people were burnt after gas accumulated in a house. Four people, including three from the same family, later died while undergoing treatment.
Anwar Hossain, brother of victim Lucky Akter, said a leak in the gas line beneath the house allowed gas to accumulate in the enclosed space, eventually triggering an explosion when it ignited.
“We had heard loud gas noises days before. There had even been a small burst earlier. Despite informing the landlord, no action was taken,” he said.
Rozina’s brother Main Uddin explained how the fire started at their Fakirapool home.
“The plastic nut where the regulator is fitted to the gas cylinder was missing. This allowed gas to leak and accumulate. When they lit the stove, the fire caught immediately,” he told bdnews24.com.
BURN STATISTICS
Between Sept 24, 2024, and Feb 25, 2025, the Burn Institute recorded:
657 flame burn admissions
443 burns from hot liquids
211 burns from electrical fires
27 burns from chemical fires
Among flame burns, most were linked to gas line leaks or cylinder explosions.
NEGLIGENCE, FAULTY EQUIPMENT FUEL BURN CASES
Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the emergency unit of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said a large number of patients are suffering burns from gas leaks, cylinder explosions, and faults in supply lines.
"Many homes trap leaked gas. When a match is struck or a switch is turned on, it causes the entire house to catch fire. Along with negligence and carelessness, technical flaws are also contributing," he told bdnews24.com.
Shaon emphasised the need to inspect the quality of gas cylinders and related parts.
"I feel the cylinders being sold are not of good quality. The screw fittings in particular seem faulty. These issues must be addressed," he said.
Talha Bin Jashim, spokesperson of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said burners, regulators, and pipes are rarely checked for defects, increasing the risk of accidents.
"Gas tends to accumulate inside homes. When someone tries to ignite a stove, a fire breaks out. It is the responsibility of households to inspect their burners and cables regularly. Manufacturers are supposed to check cylinders every five years, and that must be monitored," he said.
On Feb 28, an air-conditioner explosion at a BIAM Foundation office in Dhaka’s Eskaton injured two people, one of whom, office support staff Abdul Malek Khan, later died.
Talha stressed that air-conditioners also need regular maintenance.
"Many of us neglect AC servicing. Faulty lines cause fires. Since there is no regulator for AC maintenance, people must remain alert," he said.
Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan, former director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said institutions are supposed to ensure the use of standard gas cylinders and regulators, but that is often ignored.
"There is no proper monitoring, and agencies lack the capacity to enforce standards," he said.
The Department of Explosives is tasked with inspecting gas cylinders and parts.
Newly appointed chief explosives inspector Hayat Md Firoz told bdnews24.com, "I only assumed office yesterday. I am not aware of the details yet. I will need to gather information first."
WHEN WILL OLD GAS LINES BE REPLACED?
Experts have blamed gas leakages on ageing pipelines and illegal connections, which are triggering explosions and fires.
Former fire service chief Ali Ahmed Khan told bdnews24.com many houses are at risk as underground pipelines and kitchen lines have worn out over time.
“Old pipelines must be replaced and illegal connections dismantled. A project was initiated but has stalled,” he said.
Titas Gas had launched projects to repair supply lines in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur, but officials could not say when implementation would begin.
Satyajit Ghosh, a general manager at Titas, told bdnews24.com they have sent proposals to the ministry for approval.
“Until approval comes, we cannot say when the projects will start,” he said.
He added that while old lines cause some incidents, negligence at home remains a major reason for explosions.
YEARLY FIRE INCIDENTS LINKED TO GAS
The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department’s records show hundreds of incidents each year from gas leakages and cylinder explosions:
In 2020, 957 incidents occurred from gas line leaks and cylinder explosions, along with 32 incidents involving air conditioners. Gas line fires left 40 people burnt and four dead, while cylinder fires injured 67 and killed six.
In 2021, there were 894 fires from gas lines and cylinders and 39 from air conditioners. Gas-related fires injured 88 and killed two. Cylinder-related fires injured 75 and killed eight.
In 2022, 767 fires originated from gas leaks and explosions, while 48 fires were linked to air conditioners. Gas line incidents injured 21 and killed seven. Cylinder fires injured 30 and killed one.
In 2023, there were 694 gas line fires, 210 cylinder fires, and 88 fires from air conditioner faults. Gas line fires injured 67 and killed 21, while cylinder fires injured 23 and killed four.
In 2024, 539 fires were reported from cylinder leaks, 29 from cylinder explosions, 379 from gas line leaks, and 61 from air conditioners. Fires from cylinder leaks injured eight with no deaths. Cylinder explosions injured 53 and killed eight.
The Department of Explosives has issued guidelines to prevent gas-related fires at home.
If the smell of gas is detected, windows and doors should be opened immediately, avoiding the use of any flames or electrical appliances, and fire service should be contacted from outside.
A rotating prepaid meter, despite the stove being off, or a hissing sound from a stove or cylinder may indicate leakage.
Proper ventilation must be ensured in kitchens, keeping windows open during cooking.
Gas cylinders should be stored upright on level ground, not rolled or placed near stoves, and must have a safety cap fitted.
Valves, regulators, knobs, and hoses should be regularly checked for faults. Professional inspections are recommended at least once a year, with leaks identifiable using soap water.
After each use, the stove should be turned off, kitchen ventilation maintained, and caution exercised for any signs of leakage before ignition.
[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]
