Teenage boy dies in Faridpur fire, family alleges murder over land dispute

A teenage boy died in a fire that broke out late last night (29 March) inside his room at his home in Purba Bakhunda village of Faridpur Sadar upazila, with his father alleging that relatives had set him on fire over a land dispute.

Two adjacent houses were also gutted in the blaze.

Police said legal proceedings over the incident are underway.

Tamim's father, expatriate Rafik Mia, alleged that his relatives, who are his neighbours, started the fire and killed his son. 

Family members and local residents said Tamim Mia, 16, had accompanied his family to a programme at a relative's house but later returned home alone to sleep. A fire broke out in his room during the night while he was asleep, they added.

When he woke up and found the door locked, Tamim screamed, prompting local residents to break it open and enter the room, according to them. 

Tamim, who sustained severe burn injuries, was rescued and taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. The body has been kept at the hospital's emergency department.

Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel visited the scene later that night.