A police head constable sustained serious injuries after a domestic LPG cylinder exploded during a firefighting operation in a residential apartment in Jaipur on Monday afternoon. The constable was promptly rushed to SMS Hospital for medical treatment following the blast.
How the Fire Started in Vinayak Apartment
According to officials from the Karni Vihar police station, the incident was first reported around 1 PM on Monday. The flat owner, Janvi Kinnar, residing in a fourth-floor unit of Vinayak Apartment, had lit a traditional lamp, or diya, as part of a religious ritual. She subsequently stepped out of the flat for a short period.
Upon her return, when she unlocked the door, she was met with thick smoke filling the premises. Moments later, she spotted flames emerging from the rear section of the flat. Grasping the severity, Kinnar immediately alerted the police control room and the fire brigade services.
Chaotic Rescue and Sudden Explosion
Teams from the Karni Vihar police station and the fire department swiftly arrived at the location. The police personnel successfully evacuated Janvi Kinnar and other residents from the building, ensuring their safety.
However, the rescue operation took a dangerous turn when the domestic LPG cylinder kept inside the burning flat exploded. The force of the blast was so powerful that the cylinder broke through the balcony wall and was hurled outside the building. The explosion shattered numerous window panes and glass fittings inside the apartment.
Flying shards of glass pierced the hands of Head Constable Shankar Lal, who was part of the rescue team, causing him to bleed profusely. He was quickly provided first aid and transported to SMS Hospital for urgent care.
Swift Response and Ongoing Investigation
Firefighters deployed two fire tenders to combat the blaze. Their efforts were effective, and they managed to bring the fire under control within approximately 15 minutes. This rapid response prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring flats, averting a larger disaster.
A preliminary investigation points to the unattended lamp as the likely source of the initial fire. Officials from both the police and fire departments are continuing their probe to determine the exact sequence of events. An assessment of the property damage caused by both the fire and the explosion is currently underway.
