Dhaka: At least five people, including two women and a child, sustained burn injuries as an underground reservoir of a house exploded and caught fire in the city’s Pallabi area on Tuesday.

The victims are Yeakub Ali, 70, building owner, his wife Hasinara Khanam, 60, Yeasmin, 27, Yeasmin’s daughter Ruhi, 3, and Hasan, 32, reports the UNB.

Witnesses said a fire broke out at the reserve water tank of the six-storey building owned by Yeakub Ali around 11:30am when worker Hasan lit a candle inside it for light while cleaning it.

The fire engulfed Hasan and others who were standing outside the reservoir, leaving them injured.

The injured were taken to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Dr Partha Shanker Paul, resident medical officer at the DMCH, described their condition as serious, saying they got their throats burned.

Of the injured, Hasinara suffered 95 percent burns while Ruhi 90 percent, Hasan 85 percent, Yeasmin 41 percent and Yeakub 25 percent, said Bachchu Mia, sub-inspector of the DMCH police camp.