|| Md Mijanur Rahman Akanda: Three members of a family from Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh, including a couple and their teenage daughter, have died after suffering severe burns in a gas leak explosion at Cherag Ali in Tongi, Gazipur.The deceased were identified as Lal Chan Mia, 60, his wife Nasima Khatun, 50, and their 16-year-old daughter, Tanisha Akter. Their ancestral home is in Kuripara village under Rupsi Union of Phulpur upazila.According to family members, Lal Chan Mia, a garment worker, had been living with his family in a rented ground-floor apartment at the house of Fakhrul Islam in Masterpara, Mudafa, Cherag Ali, Tongi.The explosion occurred early Wednesday, October 21, while the family members were asleep. A gas leak reportedly triggered the blast, causing a fire that left all three family members severely burned.Hearing their cries for help, neighbours rushed to the scene and rescued the injured family members. They were subsequently taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for emergency treatment.Hospital sources said the victims had sustained burns covering between 85 and 95 per cent of their bodies. Their respiratory tracts were also damaged, further complicating their medical conditions.Despite receiving treatment in critical condition, all three eventually succumbed to their injuries.The deaths have left the family’s relatives and people in their home village mourning the tragic loss of three lives in a single incident.The incident also highlights the serious risks associated with gas leaks in residential buildings, particularly in densely populated urban areas where families often live in rented accommodation.Gas leaks can lead to devastating fires and explosions when leaked gas accumulates in an enclosed space and comes into contact with an ignition source. Regular inspection of gas pipelines, proper maintenance of household connections and prompt action at the first sign of a leak are essential to reducing such risks.Residents should avoid operating electrical switches or using open flames if they suspect a gas leak. They should leave the affected area, warn others and contact the relevant emergency services or gas utility from a safe location. The tragic deaths of the family members from Phulpur underscore the importance of ensuring gas safety in residential buildings to prevent similar incidents in the future.