Close shave for family as cylinder explodes in Kharar

Two persons were injured after a cylinder exploded on the fifth floor of a housing society on the Landran road in Kharar this morning.

According to the eyewitnesses, a fire broke out in the flat of the SBP North Valley housing society early in the morning. A cylinder kept in the balcony also caught fire, damaging the wall of the adjacent flat, the police said.

Harsh, a student, staying in the flat broke open the rear door to escape. Two neighbours, who tried to extinguish the fire, suffered burns and were rushed to a local hospital. No loss of life was reported in the incident.

Three fire tenders from Kharar and Mohali were rushed to the spot while another was stuck in the traffic jam, fire officials said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed anger over the maintenance firm failing to initiate the fire management system in the block. “No fire extinguisher or water hose was working when we tried to douse the fire in emergency. We pay full maintenance and security charges but our lives are at risk,” they said.

Furniture showroom gutted

A furniture showroom was also damage after a fire erupted at Sai Market in Peermuchhala around 9 am. According to the owner, furniture and goods worth lakhs were destroyed in the fire as it spread rapidly.

Panic spread in the area as shopkeepers and visitors rushed to safety.

Five fire tenders from Zirakpur, Dera Bassi and Panchkula were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. It took almost four hours to bring the blaze under control.

Fire officer Rajiv Kumar said a short-circuit is suspected to have caused the fire, but added that a probe was underway to determine the exact cause of the incident. Those present at the spot said the fire management system at the showroom was found lacking.