Egraj, a firefighter was caught in the blaze while attempting to douse it A cylinder explosion in a bakery caused the death Palanisami announced a relief package of Rs 3 lakh, from the Chief Minister's public relief fund and Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia to the deceased’s family
A fire and rescue services personnel was killed and 48 were injured when an LPG cylinder exploded during a fire that broke out in a bakery near Chennai, police said. Fifty three-year-old Egaraj along with other firefighters was attempting to douse a fire at the bakery at Kodungaiyur, when the tragedy took place late on Saturday night, they said.
When they opened the shutter, the cylinder exploded and the fire spread, injuring the firemen and those standing in the vicinity, they added. Police suspect that the initial cause of the fire was an electric short circuit.
The injured were admitted to government and private hospitals. Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palanisami visited the injured at one hospital. Later, speaking to reporters, he said, "When the personnel opened the shutter, the cylinder exploded and the blaze spread."
"Proper treatment is being provided to the injured," he said. The Chief Minister replied in the negative, when asked if lack of safety gear led to the death of Egaraj. Egaraj succumbed to injuries at the hospital, without responding to treatment, police said.
Palanisami announced that a relief of Rs 3 lakh, from the Chief Minister's public relief fund and Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia would be provided to the family of the deceased. Besides, a government job will be offered to a member of the deceased's family, he said.
The Chief Minister also ordered payment of Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 25,000 to others.
