In a devastating accident in Comilla’s Daudkandi Upazila, a domestic gas cylinder explosion has claimed the lives of a husband and wife. The incident occurred while the couple were cooking, leaving them severely burned and ultimately fatally injured.
The tragedy first struck when 30-year-old Umme Humayara suffered critical burns in her rented apartment in West Maizpara village. She passed away soon after the incident. Her husband, 37-year-old Jelhak Ahmed, a management lecturer at Rehana Majid College in Homna Upazila, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka. Jelhak Ahmed hailed from Palasun village in Sherpur, Bogura. The couple’s deaths were confirmed by their brother-in-law, Mokhlesur Rahman, in an interview with local media.
Other family members remain hospitalised due to burn injuries. Their 2-year-old daughter, Jannat Humayara, along with Umme Humayara’s paternal aunt, Monowara Begum, are currently receiving intensive care at the same facility. Medical staff have warned that long-term treatment and rehabilitation may be required.
Incident Details
The explosion took place in the early hours of 24 February at the residence of one Pyar Ali in West Maizpara, Daudkandi. Umme Humayara had moved into the ground-floor unit of the building as a tenant on 22 January. According to her elder brother, Khan Jahan Ali, she had only recently settled into the apartment.
Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, reported that four individuals were admitted to the emergency department at approximately 6:00 AM, all suffering severe burns. The extent of their injuries is detailed below:
| Name | Age | Percentage of Burns | Current Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jelhak Ahmed | 37 | 54% | Deceased |
| Umme Humayara | 30 | 65% | Deceased |
| Jannat Humayara (daughter) | 2 | 6% | Under treatment |
| Monowara Begum (aunt) | – | 2% | Under treatment |
Preliminary investigations by local authorities indicate that the gas cylinder leaked, igniting a fire in the kitchen that rapidly escalated into an explosion. Police have classified the event as an unfortunate accident.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the critical importance of gas safety in domestic environments. Authorities have urged residents to regularly inspect cylinders and cooking equipment to prevent similar tragedies.
This devastating episode underscores the profound personal loss suffered by families in such accidents, while also serving as a cautionary reminder to society of the dangers associated with domestic gas usage.