A bus helper died in a fire incident that took place at the Sonadanga Bus Terminal in Khulna city early yesterday.

The victim, identified as Shariful, was asleep inside the bus when it caught on fire. The blaze completely gutted the vehicle, police and transport workers confirmed.

Shariful was a resident of Munshiganj district.

Quoting locals, police said the fire originated from a mosquito coil that had been lit inside the bus. Shariful was not able to get out and died on the spot.

Md Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sonadanga Police Station, said that Shariful, a helper for Sundarban Paribahan, was sleeping in the bus when it caught on fire around 2:00am. The fire quickly consumed the bus, leaving Shariful unable to escape.