Gas explosion in mosque injures 11

Rescue workers extinguished the fire after intense efforts and shifted the injured to the Jinnah Hospital’s burn unit

RAIWIND: At least 11 people, including the imam of a mosque, were injured after a fire erupted due to a gas leak in Raiwind on Sunday

Rescue 1122 workers extinguished the fire after intense efforts and shifted the injured to the Jinnah Hospital’s burn unit and the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital.

Reportedly, the mosque situated along the Ruhi Naala Bypass in Raiwind has an underground gas supply pipeline with a small nozzle and lever on a wall connected to heaters to ignite them.

In addition to local people offering prayers, children came to the mosque to learn recitation of Holy Quran after Fajr and Maghrib.

As the students arrived at the mosque for lessons last morning and switched on the light and fan, there was a loud explosion followed by a fire. ASP Dr Raza Tanveer said the explosion was caused by gas leakage inside the mosque.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2020.