Mumbai: An LPG cylinder blast inside a Dharavi home late Saturday night left five people, including two young children, with burn injuries, with the family alleging that a gas mechanic who had been called to replace the cylinder was present when it exploded. The mechanic was also allegedly injured and later left Sion Hospital without treatment after relatives and neighbours gathered there, the family claimed.
The four injured were rushed to Sion Hospital in a police van and admitted to the casualty ward. Rohan and Rudra, who lived in a neighbouring house, were outside in the common corridor when the fire broke out at the Jaiswal residence. The two children were caught in the blast and suffered burn injuries. Rohan sustained injuries to his hands and legs, while Rudra suffered burns to his chest and both legs. Jaiswal, who was inside her home when the fire broke out, suffered burns to her face and hands. Gundedi, who lived on rent on the first level of the house, suffered burns to her hands and legs. Personnel from the fire brigade, police and BEST were mobilised.
They were identified as Poonam Jaiswal, 30, who suffered 30% burns; Rohan Gupta, 5, with 5% burns; Rudra Gupta, 4, with 8% burns; and Parvati Gundedi, 19, who suffered 15% burns, according to Dr Chaitanya, assistant medical officer at Sion Hospital.
He said firefighters were informed by police that the four injured had already been taken to Sion Hospital before the brigade reached the spot. Residents said the fire brigade also took the LPG cylinder away for investigation. The police sealed the affected area late on Saturday night and reopened it on Sunday morning.
“The LPG cylinder was in Room No. Santosh Sawant, deputy chief fire officer, said the brigade received the first call at around 11.45 pm and the fire was brought under control by 12.10 am. 43 of a ground-plus-two-storey structure.
The mechanic suffered burns to his face but managed to cap the cylinder, stopping the gas leak and preventing a bigger explosion, according to Vishal. He said the cylinder did not completely blow up, but the blast was strong enough to break open the family’s new door, which had been installed around six months ago. Our firefighters first switched off the gas cylinder knob and then extinguished the fire,” Sawant said.
Residents rushed to the spot after the blast and doused the fire with buckets of water before the Mumbai Fire Brigade arrived.
