Inferno in Karnataka, 900 LPG cylinders explode

The force of the blast was such that the entire gowdon and the two trucks, loaded with the domestic cylinders, were reduced to ashes and metal scraps. 

The blast was first detected by a security guard at the SLN Private Gas Agency, who heard a loud noise and rushed to godown at 1 am on Sunday. To his shock, he discovered cylinders scattered for about 100 meters and blazing trucks.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishnamurthy of Chintamani, who rushed to the spot, said that had this incident taken place during the day time, many people would have died. Luckily no causality has been reported so far.

The fire and emergency department rushed three fire tenders, and it took five hours for them to contain the fire.

"There is a school close by, and a lot of vehicles move during day time. The blast would have resulted in a major catastrophe. We have summoned the forensic science department officials, electrical inspectors and also transport department officials for an inquiry in this regard. These officials will give a report based on their findings on what caused the blast. Meanwhile, we will send notices to another gas agency that is operating at Murag Mohalla as it a town and any such blast like this will end up killing people. The agency should have its gas cylinder godown away from human settlements and villages," said Krishnamurthy.

• Karnataka
• Cylinder blast