At least 63 students have been hospitalised after a fire broke out at a residential Islamic school in Bangladesh’s Narayanganj district early Tuesday, with four students in critical condition, including one receiving life support.
The fire erupted at Jamiatul Ashrafia Madrasa in the Fatullah area while hundreds of students were sleeping inside the five-storey building. Most of the affected students suffered respiratory problems after inhaling smoke, although no burn injuries were reported.
Fire Breaks Out in Madrasa Library and Office
According to Bangladesh’s Fire Service and Civil Defence, the fire started in the library and adjoining office rooms on the second floor of the building at approximately 1:55am on November 10.
The institution, located in the Signboard area of Fatullah in Narayanganj, has approximately 1,300 students, most of whom live on the premises.
Deputy Assistant Director of Narayanganj Fire Service Abdullah Al Arefin said the blaze spread through the library and office area, where books and documents were stored.
Five firefighting units were deployed to control the fire. Emergency crews managed to bring the blaze under control and subsequently extinguished it.
The incident triggered panic among students as smoke spread through the building, forcing them to evacuate.
Four Students in Critical Condition
All 63 affected students were transported to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for medical treatment.
Resident Surgeon Sultan Mahmud Sikder confirmed that four students had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of their critical condition. One of them was placed on a mechanical ventilator for breathing support.
The doctor said none of the students had sustained visible burn injuries, but all were experiencing respiratory problems believed to have resulted from smoke inhalation.
Medical teams were monitoring the critically ill students, while the remaining patients were receiving treatment according to their conditions.
Some patients were also being considered for discharge after medical assessment.
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Electrical Short Circuit Suspected
Bangladesh’s Fire Service has identified an electrical short circuit as a possible cause of the fire.
However, officials said the exact cause would be established after a detailed investigation.
The blaze reportedly originated in the library and adjoining office rooms, where combustible materials such as books and documents may have contributed to the spread of smoke.
Authorities have yet to announce the final findings of the investigation.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety arrangements in residential educational institutions, particularly buildings accommodating large numbers of students.
With approximately 1,300 students enrolled at the madrasa, the rapid spread of smoke created a serious emergency for those sleeping inside the premises.
Firefighters and medical personnel responded to the incident, while the injured students were transferred to specialised medical facilities in Dhaka.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether electrical faults or other safety issues contributed to the incident.
Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh, and Anadolu Agency, November 10, 2026. thedailystar.net
