SBCA razes blast-ripped part of building

Blast caused by ‘gas leakage’ tore through building near Maskan Chawrangi last week

The part of Allah Noor Apartments affected by a blast on October 21 was demolished on Tuesday, a week after an explosion, said to have been occurred due to a gas leak, jolted the building near Maskan Chowrangi.

The Sindh Building Control Authority decided to raze the damaged part of the structure given its weakened state. The authority had inspected the affected part and separated it from the rest of the building after finding it dangerous. It removed iron rods and pillars from the affected portion and eventually demolished it with the help of a crane.

While the demolition was underway, the road leading from Maskan Chowrangi to Abul Hasan Ispahani Road remained blocked for traffic.

At least seven people were killed and several others were injured in the blast which ripped through a four-storey residential building near Maskan Chowrangi on Wednesday morning last week.

After a bomb disposal squad attributed the blast to a gas leak, questions were raised on the accuracy of the conclusion. Doubting the finding, many questioned how a gas leak blast could be as intense as the one that rocked the residential building and cause extensive damage.

Following this, relevant department's team, including those of the police and counter terrorism department, continue to inspect the site of the blast.

As per sources privy to the development, who requested anonymity, initial investigation confirmed that the explosion was a consequence of a gas leak.

On the other hand, the Sui Southern Gas Company that had earlier stated that the blast was a result of a gas leak in a house pipeline, maintaining and repairing which was the responsibility of the property's owner, categorically denied that the explosion occurred due to a gas leak.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.