Nine members of two families suffered burn injuries following an explosion, reportedly from a gas line leak, at a flat on the second floor of Halima Manjil in Halishahar area of Chattogram early today.

According to fire service officials, the explosion occurred in an apartment on the second floor of the building around 4:15am.

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

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Photo: Rajib Raihan/Star

On information, five firefighting units rushed to the spot and managed to control the blaze around 5:30am, said Khalilur Rahman, senior station officer at Halishahar Fire Service.

The injured were rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) immediately, he said.

Walls and window glasses were damaged in two flats on the same floor due to the explosion, said Khalilur.

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Photo: Rajib Raihan/Star

Fire service officials suspect the blaze originated from a gas line leak. However, the exact cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed, he said, adding that an investigation is under way.

“All the patients suffered inhalation injuries, with burns ranging from 25 percent to 100 percent of their bodies,” said Dr Rafiqul Islam, head of the burn and plastic surgery unit at CMCH.