Refuelling Blast at Narsingdi CNG Station Damages Cars

A private car was severely damaged after a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder exploded while the vehicle was being refuelled at a filling station in Narsingdi’s Shibpur upazila. The incident occurred at around 11:00 am on Saturday at the Star CNG filling station in the Kararchar area, located along the busy Dhaka–Sylhet highway, triggering panic among motorists and bystanders in the vicinity.

According to eyewitness accounts, the car had just entered the station and refuelling was under way when a sudden and deafening explosion ripped through the vehicle. The force of the blast crushed and twisted the body of the private car, rendering it completely unfit for use. Metal fragments and debris were reportedly scattered across the forecourt of the station, narrowly missing other vehicles and people nearby.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The driver of the car and the filling station employee responsible for supplying gas were standing at a short distance at the time of the explosion, which spared them from serious injury. However, another private car parked close to the affected vehicle sustained partial damage due to the impact of the blast and flying debris.

Highway police officials said the incident took place shortly after the car arrived at the station for refuelling. While gas was being pumped into the vehicle, the cylinder installed inside the car suddenly exploded, causing extensive damage within seconds. Upon receiving information, a team from the Itakhola Highway Police Station rushed to the scene, secured the area and arranged for the damaged vehicle to be recovered and taken to the police station for further examination. The driver, however, managed to leave the scene before police arrived.

Monir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Itakhola Highway Police Station, confirmed that a general diary (GD) has been filed in connection with the incident. He added that efforts are under way to trace the owner of the vehicle using its registration number. Preliminary assumptions suggest that the explosion may have been caused by an old or expired CNG cylinder, which poses a significant safety risk if not replaced or tested at regular intervals.

Safety experts have long warned that the use of unauthorised or outdated gas cylinders, improper installation and lack of routine inspection can lead to catastrophic accidents, particularly at busy roadside filling stations. They stress the importance of strict enforcement of safety regulations, regular fitness checks of CNG cylinders and increased awareness among vehicle owners and drivers to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Incident Overview

The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved safety oversight at CNG filling stations and stricter compliance with vehicle gas cylinder regulations across the country.