Three people were killed and 15 were injured in a fire following an explosion inside a commercial building near city's Science Laboratory Moor in Dhanmondi area around 10:52am this morning.

DMP Dhanmondi Thana officer-in-charge (OC) Ikram Ali confirmed the death of three people to BSS. He said the deceased were identified as - Shafiquzzaman, 44, Abdul Mannan, 64, and Md Tushar, 24. "The three people were declared dead after locals rushed them to Dhanmondi's Popular Hospital," he added.

DMCH Hospital Police Camp Officer in-charge (OC) Md Bachchu Mia said that seven people are being treated in the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Besides, six more people have been admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute (SHNBPS).

Coordinator of National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute Dr Samanta Lal Sen said, "Six people are undergoing treatment here. Few of them have minor burn injuries while others suffering 20 to 40 percent burns are undergoing treatment at the hospital's emergency department."

Dr Md Alauddin, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) doctor of the emergency department of DMCH said, "One of the eight patients admitted here is in critical condition. The rest are undergoing treatment under the neurosurgery department as they suffered injuries in different parts of the body including the head."

Rashed Bin Khaled, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarter told BSS that, "The explosion occurred inside the building named 'Shirin Mansion' around 10:52 this morning. Due to the explosion, the building partially collapsed and was engulfed by fire."

"The fire was brought under control at 11:13 am with the efforts of four units of Fire Service and Civil Defense including Palashi, Siddikbazar (Headquarters) and Dhanmondi patrols. The fire was completely extinguished at 11:44 am," the official added.

According to the fire service officials and police, the probable reason behind the explosion could be short circuit, or explosion of accumulated gas or gas cylinder/ AC explosion.

"Bomb disposal unit has reached the spot to find out what kind of explosion took place in the building. However, due to the fire, black smoke and other debris, officials are having hard time to work… Expert officials from CID and other organizations are also present at the spot to find out the cause behind the incident," said Azizul Haque, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Dhanmondi police station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC) of Ramna Division of DMP Md Shahidullah while talking to the newsmen said that the exact reason, behind the explosion, would be identified soon after the investigations are over.