At least three people died and twelve were injured when a building partially collapsed due to an "explosion that triggered a fire" at Dhaka's Science Lab area.

The deceased were identified as Tushar, Shafikuzzaman, and Abdul Mannan.

Tushar and Shafikuzzaman were computer operators, and Abdul Mannan was an office assistant at a company that has its office on the building’s second floor.

They succumbed to their injuries at Popular Medical College and Hospital, said Md Shahidullah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP’s Ramna Division.

Akbar, Hafiz, Asha, Jahir, and Ashraf are among the injured.

They were admitted to different hospitals in the capital, he said.

Five of the injured are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

The three-storey building collapsed partially after the explosion at around 10:52 am.

Anwarul Islam, from Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters Media Cell, said that four units of fire service were working on the spot.

Quoting locals, he said that the three injured people were taken to a hospital before fire officials arrived.

The fire was brought under control at around 11:13 am.