A gas cylinder explosion at a gas lighter factory in Ashulia yesterday caused burn injuries to 12 workers, with at least one of them remaining in critical condition.
The incident took place at the Pall Mall Gas Match Factory Limited in Ashulia’s Charabagh in Savar at around 7pm. Despite the initial injuries, the blaze was put out quickly with fire extinguishers.
Four of the injured were primarily identified; they are: Hasina Akhtar, Mitu Sarker, Reshma Begum and Surma Akhtar.
Witnesses and the injured workers said labourers were busy inserting gas into empty lighters in the evening, when a cylinder exploded while trying to test the lighters. The brief fire that broke out burnt 12 of the workers, while three more suffered injuries while trying to rush towards the exit after the explosion.
The workers with burn injuries have been admitted to the Enam Medical College Hospital for medical attention. After being notified of the incident, a team from Ashulia police station and a unit from the local fire service visited the scene.
Commenting on the incident, the factory’s Managing Director Aminur Islam said the gas cylinder was ignited accidentally while the lighters were being tested. However, the fire was brought under control quickly with the help of extinguishers in the factory, he added.
The factory authorities have temporarily shut down operations at the factory after the incident.
Abdul Hamid, senior station officer of Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) fire station, told the Dhaka Tribune that the fire did not cause any extensive damage to the factory building.
Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia police station Mostafa Kamal said the injured workers are now receiving treatment at the Enam Medical College Hospital.