At least 63 students of fell sick after inhaling smoke as a fire broke out in a madrasah in Fatullah area of Narayanganj early Tuesday.

The fire broke out at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasah, apparently from electric short circuit around 1:30am, said witnesses.

The affected students were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment.

Dr Sultan Mahmud Shikdar, Resident Physician at the institute’s emergency department, said the students were brought to the hospital with breathing difficulties after inhaling smoke from the fire.

Four of them were in critical condition and had been shifted to the ICU for intensive monitoring and treatment, he said.

One of the four students is currently receiving respiratory support through a mechanical ventilator.