'Accumulated gas' caused explosion at Science Lab
Suspect CTTC, fire service officials
The explosion on the second floor of a building in the capital's Science Lab area occurred due to accumulated gas, suspect two experts after primary investigation.
"With our detector, we have found the presence of gas at the scene. The damage of such massive scale also suggests that the blast was caused by accumulated gas," Rahmat Ullah Chowdhury, in-charge of the Bomb Disposal Unit of DMP's CTTC unit, told The Daily Star.
He also said the gas could have been accumulated from any concealed gas pipeline or sewerage system.
"An explosion may occur if there is presence of 5-12 percent gas in the air of a confined space. There will be an explosion if a flame or a spark causes the ignition," said the official.
He suggested opening the windows and turning on electric fans can help avoid such explosions.
Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, director general (DG) of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, also said they were suspecting that accumulated gas caused the blast.
An expert team of Bangladesh Army is also investigating to ascertain the cause of the blast, which left three persons dead and at least 40 injured this morning.