The partial collapse of a building following an explosion in a building named "Shirin Mansion" in Science Lab area that claimed three lives is not an act of sabotage but an accident, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Sunday.
“No evidence of sabotage was found on the spot and the explosion might have occurred for different reasons. The law enforcement agencies are investigating it,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting the spot.
“We'll form a committee to probe the explosion and the probe body will take opinions from fire service officials and experts and submit a report,” he added.
Replying to a question about whether the law enforcers found any sign of splinter or destructive elements, the DMP chief said: “They have not found any mark of splinter or destructive elements yet.”
Three people were killed and dozens injured when a building partially collapsed following an explosion and subsequent fire in Dhaka's Science Lab area on Sunday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Shafikuzzaman, Abdul Mannan, and Tushar.
They died while undergoing treatment at Popular Hospital in Dhanmondi.
Tushar and Shafikuzzaman were computer operators, and Abdul Mannan was an office assistant in a company that has its office on the building's second floor.
Meanwhile, at least 14 injured, who are pedestrians and shopkeepers, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The injured are Nur Nabi, 23, Akbor Ali, 52, Ashfaruzzaman, 36, Asha, 26, Habibur Rahman, 32, Juhur Ali, 52, Jakir Hossain Jewel, 35, Mehedi Hasan, 25, Tajuddin, 30, Kabir Hossain 30, Rabeya Khatun, 25, Kamal Hasan, 40. Two other injured could not be identified yet.
The explosion has left part of the three-story building partially collapsed.
Coordinator of Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery Dr Samanta Lal Sen said six people were being treated at the facility's emergency department.
“Some of them have inhalation burns, and some of them have 20-40% surface-level burn injuries,” he added.
Meanwhile, the resident doctor of the emergency department, Dr Md Alauddin, said the condition of one of the injured is critical.
Locals said the three-storey building has several fabric shops on the ground and second floors. Also next to it are high-rise residential buildings and the Priyangan Shopping Center.
Witnesses said there was a loud explosion at the time of the incident, which quickly filled the surrounding areas with a gas odor and smoke.
Following the explosion, bricks, and glasses from the building's wall fell onto the road, causing injuries to pedestrians and one CNG driver.
Fire Service and Civil Defense spokesperson said that four units of fire service brought the fire under control at around 11:13am.
