The explosions took place around 10 p.m. in the Sheikhghat area at a shop named Shaad & Co. According to witnesses, the refrigerators suddenly erupted with a loud bang, injuring pedestrians, a CNG-run autorickshaw driver, and shop staff.
Among the injured was 18-year-old Emon, a staff member of the shop, who suffered severe burns and was rushed to the Burn Unit of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The other victims, including the autorickshaw driver, were treated for less serious injuries.
Officer-in-Charge Md. Ziaul Haque of the Kotwali Model Police Station stated that locals managed to extinguish the flames before fire service personnel arrived on the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosions were caused by a malfunction in the refrigerators' compressors.
The explosions also caused significant damage to a CNG autorickshaw and partially damaged two neighboring shops. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.