2 firefighters suffer 100pc burns in Tongi blaze

Two firefighters suffered burns on 100 percent of their bodies in yesterday's fire at a chemical warehouse in Tongi, said authorities at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the institute's emergency department, said another firefighter sustained 42 percent burns.

Talha Bin Jasim, officer at Fire Service media cell, said five people, including four firefighters, were burnt when an explosion occurred while they were trying to control the fire that broke out at a tin-shed warehouse in Sahara Market of Tongi yesterday noon.

The injured are firefighters Shamim Ahmed, 42; Joy Hasan, 28; Nurul Huda, 40; Inspector Khondoker Jannatul Naim, 38; and shop employee Al-Amin Hossain, 28.

He said the warehouse contained sodium-based substances. "When the firefighters tried to douse the flames, a chemical explosion occurred, leaving them seriously burnt," he said.

The shop employee was admitted to the burn unit of DMCH.

Dr Fazle Rabbi, assistant registrar at the burn institute, said, "Nurul Huda and Shamim Ahmed suffered 100 percent burns, including damages to their respiratory tracts. Joy suffered burns on five percent of his body and has been released after primary treatment. Inspector Jannatul Naim sustained 42 percent burns."

He added that Nurul, Shamim, and Naim were in critical condition.

A video of the incident showed thick smoke billowing from the tin-shed building after a sudden explosion, with a firefighter seen crawling out from inside.

At a press briefing yesterday evening, fire service officials said the blaze was brought under control at around 7:00pm.

The warehouse stored chemicals including sodium bicarbonate, hydrochloric acid, bleaching powder, batteries, stone, and soda in a haphazard manner, in violation of safety regulations, they added.

"Since this is a chemical fire, we cannot confirm whether it has been fully controlled. Even after dousing, the flames reignited at times. Our personnel are still working inside," said a fire service official at the briefing.