Dhaka, March 25 -- What was meant to be a simple family visit turned into a nightmare for Riyad Hasan Apu. Visiting his sister's home in Dhaka's Rayer Bazar, he was jolted awake just before Sehri by a deafening blast.

Though he managed to rush out with his 3-year-old nephew, known as only Mayan, the fire had already taken its toll.

Apu suffered 7 percent burns, while Mayan sustained 24 percent.

His sister Pinky and brother-in-law Md Roman are in "critical" condition with 75 percent and 25 percent burns, respectively.

"My sister got up to cook for Sehri. As soon as she struck the match, there was a huge explosion and fire spread through the room," Apu recounted from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

This is not an is...