7 hurt in P’kula cylinder blast

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18

Seven persons were injured in a cylinder blast in Sector 10, Panchkula, late this evening. The police said the victims had gathered outside a locked house suspecting a leakage in the LPG cylinder. 

Deepak Kathuria, a nearby resident, said, “House No. 702 in the locality was locked. Some elderly in the neighbourhood complained about the leakage from the house.” As soon as they gathered there, the LPG cylinder burst. A portion of the single-storeyed house caved in due to the impact of the blast. Windowpanes of nearby houses and the cars parked in the area were damaged. 

“The house belonged to Ajit Chaudhary. He had gone to the market with his wife and kids. When he learned about the leakage, he rushed back. The blast took place when he opened the door of the house. He is seriously injured,” said Sector 5 police station SHO Inspector Karanvir Singh.

Kathuria added that Anmol Garg and Priyansh Garg, who lived next to the house, were also injured and rushed to the PGI. Devi Vati, mother of Anmol and Priyansh, received burns and was admitted to the General Hospital, Panchkula. Priyansh was trapped under debris. Firemen rescued him.   

PGI sources said four persons injured in the blast were out of danger. “My brother was also injured. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Pieces of a glass hit a son of a washerman leaving him injured,” said Kathuria.

Eyewitnesses said there were at least two blasts. “So far, no casualty has been reported,” said Inspector Karanvir Singh.

The other injured have been identified as HR Sharma, Jignesh and Gulshan. An NDRF team from Chandimandir also reached the spot. Those admitted to the PGI are Ajit Chaudhary, Anmol Garg, Priyansh Garg and HR Sharma.