Four men suffer burns in gas explosion

Fire broke out due to the negligence of rickshaw driver

SAMUNDARI:

At least four people were severely burnt during a gas cylinder explosion triggered by a lit cigarette on Wednesday.

Eye witnesses said that the rickshaw driver lit a cigarette while filling up the gas cylinders resulting in a fierce explosion injuring those present near the vehicle.

The injured were immediately shifted to the Allied Hospital by the Rescue 1122 staff in a critical condition.

Firefighters were deployed to contain the fire after the rescue personnel provided medical assistance to the burn victims.

Police has registered a case against five accused, including the owner of the premises.

Reportedly, gas cylinders were being refilled and loaded onto a rickshaw in New Madina Town Ali Chowk Street No 3 area when the vehicle driver, Rehan, lit a cigarette causing a gas explosion.

The injured have been identified as 20-year-old Waqas, 18-year-old Rehan and 33-year-old Zulfiqar and Rehman.

Doctors at the Allied Hospital confirmed that Waqas is 100% burnt, Rehan and Rehman are 50% burnt while Zulfiqar is 40% burnt.

Madina Town Police has registered a case under section 285/286 TPP against the premises owner Khalid Gujjar on the complaint of SI Zeeshan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2020.