LPG agency fire leaves one injured

A fire broke out in the agency of LPG cylinders in Gulzar Quaid Nawaz Colony, within the limits of the Airport police station, Rawalpindi.

One man was injured due to severe burns from the fire while the three-storied residential building in which the agency was located was also damaged.

According to reports, a fire suddenly broke out in the LPG gas cylinders agency located on the lower floor of a three-storey building in the Nawaz Colony area adjacent to the Airport police station. Within moments the gas cylinders inside the agency were engulfed, which caused them to explode in succession with intermittent, loud explosions.

The video footage of the fire incident has also surfaced, in which the agency located in a densely populated area can be seen suddenly catching fire, followed by the loud explosions of bursting gas cylinders. In the footage, announcements for help from the nearby mosque opposite the scene of the incident can also be heard.

On receiving the information, Rescue 1122 and SHO Airport Hamid Kazmi reached the spot along with police personnel. It took 25 rescue and firefighters along with five rescue fire tenders, to control the fire and contain it.

A Rescue 1122 spokesperson told The Express Tribune, “The explosions of LPG gas cylinders during the fire worsened the situation, also causing a person to suffer from serious burns. We provided him with first aid and shifted him to the hospital.”

The cylinder refilling shop was situated in the basement of the three-storey residential building. The building was also severely damaged due to the fire and explosions. Additionally, two motorcycles were caught in the blaze and burnt to ashes.

Rawalpindi police officials said that in the initial investigation, the incident seemed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Further investigation is ongoing.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2024.