Man dies 3 days after being burned in Cox's Bazar gas pump fire

A man who sustained severe burn injuries in a fire incident at a gas pump in Cox's Bazar's Kolatoli area died today (1 March) while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Abu Taher, 42, succumbed to his injuries at around 2:30pm at the DMCH's Burn and Plastic Surgery Department, said Nasir Uddin, president of the Adarsha Gram Samaj Committee and a neighbour of the victim.

Taher, son of Abdur Rahim of Kolatoli Adarsha Gram in Cox's Bazar town, was a battery-run auto-rickshaw driver by profession. He was among those injured in the massive fire that broke out at N Alam Gas Pump near his home on the night of 25 February.

According to Nasir, 15 people were injured in the incident. Six of them were initially admitted to the burn unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, including Abu Taher. As his condition deteriorated in Chattogram, family members transferred him to Dhaka.

Mohammad Shamiuddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station, said police have been informed about the death and legal procedures will be taken once the body arrives in Cox's Bazar.

The fire reportedly started after gas leaked from a tank at the pump late on 25 February. Employees initially tried to douse the flames by spraying sand and water. However, a loud explosion followed, triggering another blaze.

The fire spread to nearby houses and establishments, burning down around 30 vehicles and four houses, along with other infrastructure.

Earlier on 27 February, Mohammad S Khaled, head of the burn unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said Abu Taher had suffered 90% burns. Among the other injured, Rahim sustained 50% burns, Siraj 40%, Sakib 30%, and Mehedi and Motaher 20% each.

The district administration has formed a five-member investigation committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Shahidul Alam, to probe the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.