CHATTOGRAM, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Nine members of two families, including women and children, sustained burn injuries in a gas explosion at a flat in the Halishahar area of the port city early today.

The incident occurred around 4:15 am on the second floor of a six-storey apartment building, Halima Manzil, near AC Mosque in H Block of Halishahar.

The injured were identified as Ayesha, 4, Shawon, 17, Shipon, 32, Sumon, 40, Rani, 40, Pakhi, 35, Shakawat, 46, Anas, 7, and Ummay Ayon, 10.

All nine victims were rushed to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) around 5:30 am. 

On information, five units of Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control around 5:30 am, said Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service Alamgir Hossain.

He said there was no LPG cylinder in the flat; it suspected that leakage from the stove might have caused gas to accumulate in the kitchen, triggering the explosion.

Dr Rafiqul Islam, head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at CMCH, said all the patients suffered inhalation injuries, with burn injuries ranging from 25 to 100 percent of their bodies.

The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Meanwhile, SI Md Ashiq, in-charge of the CMCH Police Outpost, confirmed that the injured were admitted to the hospital for treatment.