7 injured after a bomb explodes at a house in Patna

At least seven persons, including five members of a family sustained serious injuries after a gas leak from a LPG cylinder led to an explosion at their house in Salimpur Ahra locality under Gandhi Maidan police station in Patna Monday morning.

The injured persons were identified as Gangjala Devi (70), her daughter-in-law Rekha Devi (35), Devi’s children Golu Kumar (6), Mali Kumari (7), Manita Kumari (10). A neighbour Tarkeshwar Pandey was also injured. Another male, whose identity has not be ascertained also sustained injuries.

The six are undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The condition of Rekha Devi is reported to be critical.

At the time of blast, Rekha’s husband Baidyanath Mahto was out of the house.

On getting information, a forensic team led by in-charge city, SP (Central), D Amarkesh reached the spot.

“Gas usually accumulates in a confined space and that is why it explodes after catching fire. In this case, the pipe was damaged, while the cylinders were intact,” said Amarkesh.

“During preliminary investigation, it seems like a case of gas leakage. The explosion took place when a family member tried to heat water,” he said.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Upendra Kumar Sharma said, “The LPG gas leak caused the fire. The incident took place after Rekha Devi tried to heat water.”

PMCH superintendent Dr Bimal Karak said that all the persons have sustained burn injuries. Police found three empty LPG cylinders from the spot while the gas pipe was damaged by rats.

The blast damaged the ground-floor of the building and also impacted at least five other houses in the neighbourhood. Police said that glass windows of five other houses shattered due to the explosion.

A few eyewitnesses said the intensity of the blast was so severe that two adjoining buildings were damaged. “A coaching institute situated on one of the floors of the house also suffered damage in the blast,” said an eyewitness.

“We immediately alerted the police about the accident. The police came after 30 minutes. An ambulance that had reached earlier rushed the family to PMCH,” said neighbour Sandip Kumar.

“A case has been registered under 174 of the CrPC,” said sub-inspector Shyam Narayan of Gandhi Maidan police station.