BENGALURU: Hundreds of residents in Banashankari III Stage had a miraculous escape early Saturday when nearly 20 cylinders caught fire and triggered a serial cylinder blast at an illegal gas filling godown near Vidyapeeth Circle in Vivekanandanagar in Kathriguppe.
A lorry which was parked right outside the filling station acted as a bulwark against the cylinders that got thrown away following the explosion. No casualties were reported.
Vehicles damaged
Several vehicles parked nearby and a few neighbouring shops were damaged in the blast that took place around 5.40 am. A call was immediately made to the fire and emergency control room following which three fire tenders were pressed into service.
According to the fire and emergency department officials, the illegal gas refilling station was gutted in the mishap. Two cars, a bike, a tanker along with a few small neighbouring shops were gutted. At the time of the incident it is said that two people were present inside the illegal gas refilling station.
“While filling the gas, a fire broke out. Sensing danger the duo fled and soon the serial blast took place. As many as 15-20 cylinders caught fire and exploded in no time. Some cylinders got flung in the air but fortunately no damage was done as a lorry which was parked right at the entrance of the gas station acted as a protector when the cylinders collided with the vehicle,” said a fire official. He further said that the damaged would have been much greater if the lorry wasn’t parked at the entrance.
“There were around 15 to 20 LPG cylinders weighing 15 kg kept at the godown. These cylinders were being used to refill gas into 5 kg cylinders. At the time of blast, the employees of the godown were refilling cylinders. One cylinder leaked and led to a blast due to excessive heat,” added the officer.
Tension
Tension gripped the area for sometime after the neighbours rushed out of their houses hearing a loud sound. A few neighbouring shops were partially damaged while some developed cracks and glass panes got damaged.
Fire fighters rushed to the spot and doused the blaze after nearly five hours.
Banshankari police have filed a case and are on the lookout for the owner of the illegal gas refilling unit.
