A total of 48 students have been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery after falling ill from dense smoke caused by a fire in the library of a madrasa in Fatullah, Narayanganj. Among them, three are in critical condition.

The fire broke out around 1:55 AM on Monday (November 8) in the second-floor library of Jamia Ashrafia Madrasa, located in the Shantidhara area near Signboard, Fatullah.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 3:43 AM after a concerted effort involving four units of the Fire Service.

Dr. Sultan Mahmud Shikder, Resident Surgeon (RS) at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, stated that 48 students have been brought to the emergency department so far.

"Among them, three are in critical condition and have been placed in the ICU, with one currently on ventilator support. All affected students are receiving necessary medical treatment, and there is a possibility of more patients arriving," he added.

Partha Haldar, a firefighter from the Kanchpur Fire Station, said the fire originated in the library on the second floor, generating a massive amount of thick smoke.

"Four units from the Fire Service worked to put out the fire. Several sleeping students fell ill due to smoke inhalation and were rushed to the hospital," he explained.

He further noted that while the exact cause of the fire will be determined following a formal investigation, it is initially suspected to have been triggered by either a mosquito coil or an electrical short circuit.