Two workers burnt in ‘AC explosion’ at Ashkona restaurant

Two workers sustained burns in a fire believed to have originated from an air-conditioner exploding at a restaurant in Dhaka's Ashkona area earlier today.

The injured are: Abdul Kaiyum (20), and Faisal (15) -- both cleaners of Bluebird Chinese Restaurant.

They were admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

Kaiyum is fighting for life with 96 percent burns while Faisal sustained 28 percent burns, said Aiyub Hossain, resident surgeon of the institute.

The explosion occurred at Komor Uddin Tower when the two were cleaning the restaurant -- leaving them injured, said Md Rashed, a sub-inspector of Dakshinkhan Police Station. 

Everything in the restaurant was destroyed and part of a nearby wall collapsed due to the explosion, he said.

"Fire engulfed following a loud bang. We did not see what exploded," Faisal, who was employed at the restaurant two weeks back, told reporters at the hospital.