Underground gas leak sets rickshaw ablaze

Driver sustains serious burn injuries, rushed to hospital

KARACHI:

A rickshaw caught fire following a gas leak from an underground pipeline on Stadium Road near a private hospital while travelling towards New Town on Saturday, leaving the driver with burn injuries.

Rescue team, a fire engine and an ambulance, rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after a strenuous effort, but the rickshaw was completely gutted.

The injured driver was rushed to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital. He was identified as 35-year-old Imran.

New Town police informed SSGC officials after extinguishing the fire, while the area was cordoned off and police personnel deployed.

According to the SSGC employee Ameen, excavation work for laying a water pipeline had damaged the gas line. He alleged that the Water and Sewerage Corporation had not informed SSGC about the excavation.

He said gas had spread through the surrounding area and that the company's staff had begun work to stop the leak.