LPG Cylinder Explosion Rocks Delhi's Majlis Park, Injuring 14
A devastating incident unfolded in northwest Delhi's Majlis Park on Sunday morning, leaving at least 14 people injured, including firefighters and Delhi Police personnel, after an LPG cylinder exploded during a blaze inside a residential building. The explosion occurred around 9 am, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood and causing severe injuries to responders and bystanders alike.
Fire Erupts on Stilt Floor, Leading to Chaos
The fire initially broke out on the stilt floor of the building, an area used for parking vehicles and storing household items. According to local reports, the flames quickly spread, filling the staircase with smoke and rendering the lift inoperable. Residents were abruptly awakened by the smell of smoke, prompting a frantic scramble to safety.
Deepika, a 32-year-old resident living on the upper ground floor with her software engineer husband Ravi and their child, described the harrowing experience: "Most of us were asleep. We suddenly smelled smoke and rushed downstairs. My husband and I grabbed our child and began alerting neighbours. The moment we reached the ground floor, there was a huge blast." Deepika sustained minor injuries to her forehead from shattered windowpanes caused by the blast's impact.
Explosion Causes Widespread Damage and Injuries
As residents evacuated, fire and police personnel arrived on the scene to conduct rescue operations and attempt to douse the flames. However, the situation escalated when an LPG cylinder on the upper ground floor exploded, causing severe burns to several responders. Local people were reportedly trying to remove a parked car at the time, adding to the chaos.
The explosion resulted in glass fragments flying in all directions, injuring bystanders and leaving the narrow lane outside the building littered with debris. The building's blackened exterior bore witness to the intensity of the blaze. Additionally, the family running an LED business on the premises suffered extra damage as stored glass sheets cracked and scattered during the incident.
Critical Injuries Among Firefighters and Police
Among those critically injured were leading fireman Suresh Pehel (57), fire operator Sitaram Meena (29), and fire officer Ved Prakash (50), all posted at the Wazirpur fire station. Pehel suffered nearly 30% burns and was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital along with other injured personnel, including ASI Sandeep (49) and constable Rahul (31) of Adarsh Nagar police station, and SI Prem Pal (54) from the PCR north zone.
Other injured individuals included Deepak Goel (40), Sher Khan (32), Rajesh (39), Jagdeep Singh (54), Vishal (40), Rahul (43), Pankaj Aggarwal (52), and Pooranchand, with burns ranging from 8% to 30%. The police have registered a case of negligence in connection with the incident.
Families Express Shock and Concern
Outside Safdarjung Hospital's Burns Ward, emotions ran high as families gathered. Rajesh, the brother of injured fireman Suresh Pehel who traveled from Haryana, shared: "In his 30 years of service, this is the first time he has suffered injuries of this severity. We have established businesses back home, but he chooses to continue serving in the fire department and he is just three years from retirement."
Similarly, Ved Prakash's uncle, Zile Singh (70), noted: "He has been with the fire services for nearly two decades. This is the first time he has been injured in the line of duty." These statements highlight the dedication of the responders and the unexpected nature of the tragedy.
Possible Cause and Local Suspicions
Locals have speculated that a short circuit, possibly in an e-scooter, may have triggered the initial fire. This theory adds to concerns about electrical safety in residential areas. The incident has raised alarms over storage practices and safety measures in densely populated neighborhoods like Majlis Park.
As investigations continue, the community remains shaken by the explosion, which serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by emergency personnel and the importance of vigilance in preventing such accidents.
