At least 16 people suffered burn injuries after a powerful blast triggered a fire at an LPG filling station in the Kolatoli area of Cox`s Bazar on Wednesday night.
The explosion occurred around 10:20pm at the ‘N Alam’ LPG filling station, sending flames into nearby residential areas. Fire officials said at least 10 houses and around 20 to 25 tourist jeeps were destroyed in the blaze.
Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Syed Muhammad Morshed said the fire spread rapidly after a gas leak. Firefighters, with support from the army, air force, Red Crescent volunteers and local residents, brought the fire under control around 3:00am after nearly five hours.
Health officials said seven of the injured were shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, while three others were sent to hospitals in Dhaka for advanced treatment. Six burn victims are receiving care at Cox`s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Witnesses reported a strong smell of gas lingering in the area for hours before the blast, causing panic among residents of nearby Adarsha Gram and Chandrima Housing areas.
Fire service officials said the LPG station was operating without valid approval and that negligence led to the accident. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sami Uddin said the situation is now under control and police remain deployed at the site.
Authorities said legal action will be taken against the owners of the unauthorised filling station.
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