Two burnt while warming by fire, die

Two people including a child, who sustained burn injuries while warming themselves by fire in Gaibandha district in two separate incidents, died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on Thursday.

The deceased are three-year-old Sabiha, daughter of Babar Ali in Sundarganj upazila, and Alam Mia, son of Siddiqul Islam in Sadullapur upazila, of the district.     

According to the families, Sabiha got injured on December 19 and Alam on December 21, while warming themselves by the fire. They were undergoing treatment at the burn unit of the RMCH since then. 

Dr Hamid Palash, divisional head of the burn unit at the RMCH, said both of the victims sustained 60 to 65 burn injuries. 

Nineteen people, most of them are children and elderly women, are currently undergoing treatment at the burn unit, he said, adding that all of them sustained injuries while warming themselves by fire. 

"We asked people not to stand by fire. It does not help. In fact, the clothes they wear can catch fire due to negligence," he said. 

"Therefore, children and the elderly people should avoid warming themselves by fire, wear warm clothes and go to bed early and sleep in late."

From December 15 to December 26, 24 people were admitted to the RMCH burn unit. Three of them were transferred to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Meanwhile, RMCH Deputy Director Shahadat Hossain said around 265 children were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to cold-related diseases in between December 15 and 26.

Of them, 25 children died, he added. 

According to the Met office, Thursday's lowest temperature was recorded 5.7 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, while in Rangpur the lowest temperature was 9.5 degrees Celsius.