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A total of 79 students have been taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery following a fire at a madrasa in Fatullah, Narayanganj, although none suffered direct burn injuries.
Doctors said many students may have suffered respiratory tract injuries from smoke inhalation.
Resident physician Dr Sultan Mahmud Sikder disclosed the information at a briefing at the institute on Tuesday afternoon.
“Seventy-nine madrasa students have been brought here so far. None of them has sustained burns, but many may have suffered respiratory tract injuries due to smoke inhalation,” he said.
Of the 79 students, 63 have been admitted to the hospital, while 16 were discharged after receiving primary treatment.
Four of the admitted students are in critical condition. One is on mechanical ventilation, while three others are under close observation in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Doctors said it would take at least 72 hours to assess their conditions more clearly.
Dr Sultan Mahmud said not all the students had confirmed respiratory tract injuries, adding that those with minor exposure to smoke or heat were expected to recover quickly.
The fire broke out at around 2am on Monday at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasa in the Signboard area of Fatullah. The blaze started on the second floor of the five-storey building, completely destroying its library.
Rescue workers said the fire reportedly originated from an electrical short circuit in one section of the madrasa.
Thick smoke quickly spread across several floors, triggering panic among the students. Many fell ill from smoke inhalation while rushing to escape the building.
Hospital authorities expressed hope that most of the remaining students under medical supervision would recover soon and return home.