Cox's Bazar LPG pump explosion: 4 out of 16 injured in critical condition; 30 jeeps destroyed
A five-member committee led by the additional district magistrate will report on the fire within seven days
A total of 16 people were injured in an LPG gas pump explosion in Kolatoli Chandrima Housing, Cox's Bazar, of them six have been admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, with four in critical condition.
The injured receiving treatment in Chattogram are Abdur Rahim, 32; Siraj, 30; Abu Taher, 40; Abul Kashem, 27; Shakib, 30; and Motahar, 45.
Doctors said four of them have suffered burns covering between 40% and 90% of their bodies and remain in critical condition, while the other two are currently out of danger.
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Dr Md Rashed Ul Karim, assistant registrar of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, today (26 February) said preparations were being made to transfer three of the six admitted patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to the severity of their injuries.
He added that several patients have also sustained burns to their airways, heightening medical concern.
Probe committee formed
The affected area was inspected by local MP Lutfur Rahman Kajol and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan today.
A five-member probe committee led by the additional district magistrate has been formed to submit a report of this fire within seven days.
Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence in Cox's Bazar, said the fire occurred around a 14,000-litre tank at a pump that had been operational for only three days and lacked proper authorization and firefighting arrangements.
Legal action is being taken, he added.
Homes and vehicles destroyed
The devastating fire has been brought under control, yet homes and vehicles remain destroyed, with significant damage still visible, leaving residents in panic.
A visit this morning found that the Cox's Bazar LPG gas station is surrounded by numerous homes and a garage for tourist vehicles. A total of 30 tourist jeeps parked in the garage were destroyed, and locals reported that three adjacent houses were also burned.
Rafiqul Islam, owner and driver of one of the jeeps, said the vehicle had been prepared just two and a half months ago at a cost of about Tk9 lakhs but was turned to ashes. Of the 40 jeeps parked in the garage, only 10 could be removed, while the rest were gutted, leaving the garage in ruins.
Munny Begum, whose nearby house was destroyed, said she escaped with her children but lost her home, furniture, five bhori of gold, and Tk3 lakh in cash, managing to flee with only the clothes she was wearing.
Following Fire Service instructions, nearby households refrained from lighting cooking stoves.
Local resident Ramiz Uddin said they have not yet been able to re-enter their homes and had their pre-dawn meal at a relative's house, as the Fire Service instructed them not to light any flames.
Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said compensation would be provided after a damage assessment.
