79 students hospitalised after fire breaks out at Bangladesh madrasa, 4 critical

At least 79 students were hospitalised with respiratory injuries after inhaling smoke when a fire broke out at a madrasa in Bangladesh's Narayanganj on Tuesday. Four students are in critical condition, with one placed on mechanical ventilation, officials said.The fire broke out at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasa in Narayanganj, about 16 km from the capital Dhaka, news portal bdnews24.com reported, citing the Fire Service Department.All 79 students were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Of them, 63 were admitted or placed under emergency observation, while 16 were discharged after receiving initial treatment, resident physician Dr Sultan Mahmud Shikder said.Firefighters brought a fire under control at Jamia Ashrafia Madrassah in Narayanganj early Tuesday, leaving nearly 50 students hospitalised due to smoke inhalation. #Narayanganj #JamiaAshrafiaMadrassah #newagebd https://t.co/qKLSawD7Ix— New Age (@NewAgeBDcom) November 10, 2026Four students, aged between 14 and 22, are currently in the intensive care unit (ICU). One of them has been placed on life support with mechanical ventilation, he said. In a statement issued by the hospital, Shikder said none of the students had suffered visible burns. However, all had sustained varying degrees of respiratory injuries after inhaling toxic smoke.A medical board has been formed to assess the students' condition. Doctors will need at least 72 hours to evaluate those who are critically ill, he said. According to the Dhaka Tribune, quoting Fire Service duty officer Shahjahan, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit on the second floor of the five-storey madrasa building.The smoke quickly spread through the building, triggering panic among the students staying there. As they rushed to escape, several suffered respiratory tract injuries from smoke inhalation, officials said.The blaze has since been brought under control.Students who reached the hospital for treatment said a library on the second floor of the madrasa building was gutted in the fire.- Ends