Four Burned in Illegal Gas Line Explosion

Four workers suffered burn injuries in a late-night explosion while allegedly attempting to install an illegal gas connection in Fatullah, Narayanganj. One of the victims, 35-year-old Ariful Islam, remains in critical condition after sustaining burns to approximately 65 per cent of his body and has been admitted to the emergency unit of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. The remaining three workers received comparatively minor injuries and were treated at local medical facilities.

The incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, 13 July, at the residence of Delowar Hossain in Chitashal No. 1 Lane under Kutubpur Union in Fatullah. According to local residents, a powerful explosion shattered the silence of the night, causing widespread alarm in the neighbourhood. People rushed to the scene immediately after hearing the blast and helped rescue the injured before arranging medical treatment.

Ariful Islam is the son of Ali Azgar from Latabor village in Kaliganj upazila of Rangpur district. He had been living as a tenant in a house near Delpara Bazar in Fatullah and worked as a day labourer.

Sanitary mechanic Abdul Jalil, who claimed to have been involved in the work, said that an agreement had been made to install a gas connection at the property by cutting through the road. The contract was reportedly worth Tk17,000, of which Tk2,000 had been paid in advance, with the remaining amount to be settled after completion of the work.

Jalil said he informed a local gas contractor, Masum, from the Delpara area, who then arranged several workers for the job. Ariful Islam and others reportedly began the work late at night. According to his account, the team excavated the ground and exposed the underground gas pipeline. As they were preparing to connect the new line, a sudden explosion occurred, followed by a burst of flames that engulfed the workers within seconds.

Ariful suffered the most severe injuries in the blast. The identities of the other three injured workers were not immediately confirmed. As their burns were relatively minor, they sought primary treatment at nearby healthcare facilities rather than being transferred to a specialist burn hospital.

Doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery said Ariful’s condition is extremely serious due to the extent of his injuries. Patients with burns covering such a large proportion of the body typically require intensive monitoring and specialised treatment because they face a high risk of life-threatening complications, including infection, fluid loss and organ failure.

The explosion has sparked concern among local residents, many of whom alleged that unauthorised gas connections have become an ongoing safety hazard in several parts of the area. Residents claimed that such work is often carried out under the cover of darkness in an attempt to avoid detection, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Even a minor mistake while tampering with high-pressure gas pipelines can trigger devastating explosions, resulting in serious injuries, fatalities and damage to surrounding properties.

The Officer-in-Charge of Fatullah Model Police Station, Mahbub Alam, said police officers were dispatched to the scene shortly after receiving reports of the explosion. He confirmed that investigators are examining how the incident occurred, whether an illegal gas connection was being installed, and who may have been responsible.

According to the preliminary findings, work to establish an unauthorised gas connection was underway when the explosion took place. Investigators are expected to examine the roles of those involved, possible breaches of safety procedures, and allegations surrounding illegal gas line installations. Police said appropriate legal action will be taken once the investigation establishes the exact cause of the explosion and identifies those responsible.