Cylinder blast kills 9 in Ajmer

Jaipur, February 17

At least nine persons were killed and 19 injured when a couple of cooking gas cylinders exploded and brought down a three-storeyed building during a wedding function at Beawar in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district last night.

Three children and as many women were among the victims and the toll could increase as rescue teams were clearing debris at the site in Nand Nagar locality, said Ajmer SP Rajendra Singh Choudhary.

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According to some eyewitnesses, a cook was trying to refill an empty LPG cylinder from other cylinders, which caused a fire and resulted in the explosion. They said there was a loud blast, which brought down the entire building — occupied mostly by the bridegroom’s guests — like a pack of cards.

Two cars, some motorcycles and over 10 houses were damaged. A large number of policemen and National Disaster Response Force personnel have been pressed into service for the rescue operation. — TNS/PTI