Man suffocates to death, three fall unconscious in Pindi

Carpenters from Lodhran ignited coal heater to stay warm at an under-construction house

RAWALPINDI: A labourer died of asphyxia, while three others fell unconscious due to gas accumulated into the room they were sleeping in at a private housing society of the city on Sunday.

The carpenters, hailing from Lodhran, were staying in the under-construction house within the limits of Morgah police station.

They ignited a coal heater to stay warm in the freezing cold weather. However, they fell unconscious after their room was filled with gas and were found by a member of the construction crew in the morning.

Rescue 1122 rushed to the scene when informed of the incident.

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According to rescue officials, a man identified as Munawar was found dead and three others, namely Muhammad Azhar, Aslam Hussain and Muhammad Ajmal, unconscious. They were shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital.

Morgah police station SHO Azaz Azeem said all four carpenters belonged to Lodhran and were close relatives to each other.

One of the injured men is said to be critical.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has made a public appeal urging masses to use gas appliances with care to avoid untoward accidents.

An official of the Rescue 1122 said people found using alternative measures like gas cylinders, compressors in their houses would be dealt according to the law. It has been noted that many residents use fridge compressors to increase flow of Sui gas, he said.

(With input from APP)