Man injured, 4 shops, 10 vehicles burnt in cylinders’ explosion

LAHORE: A man sustained burns while at least four shops and 10 vehicles were burnt when cylinders exploded in a gas filling shop in Garden Town police limits here on Tuesday.

The incident created a panic in the locality as people deemed it another blast after Johar Town explosion. The cylinders exploded due to a gas leakage. Eyewitnesses said a fire erupted in the shop in Barkat Market when someone lit a fire. With no time, a huge fire engulfed the entire shop. As the shop and its surrounding area were packed with gas cylinders, the cylinders started exploding one by one. Flames of fire and thick smoke billowed in the sky. Eyewitnesses recorded videos of huge explosions. People started coming out of the plazas in panic. As a result, at least 10 vehicles parked nearby caught a fire and were damaged. Only three parked cars were saved. Four adjacent shops also caught fire. Valuables worth lakhs of rupees were gutted. Thick smoke was witnessed by citizens from a long distance.

Nearby people called rescue teams. Firefighters reached the spot and extinguished the fire. The injured identified as Boota was shifted to a nearby hospital. Rescuers controlled the fire after hectic efforts. Gas continued leaking from cylinders for hours. However, the rescuers ensured that it may not catch fire again.