A gas cylinder leak sparked a powerful explosion and fire at Jawahar Market in Delhi’s Kirti Nagar on Tuesday, engulfing four small shops, a truck and a nearby power transformer, officials said. According to fire department sources, the blaze broke out after a suspected gas leak led to a sudden blast, sending flames rapidly through the row of shops in the busy market area. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky, triggering panic among shopkeepers and local residents.
At least six fire engines were rushed to the spot. Firefighters battled the flames for over an hour before bringing the situation under control and preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent establishments.The explosion also damaged a parked truck and a power transformer, raising concerns of a potential electrical hazard. Power supply in the immediate vicinity was temporarily disrupted as a precautionary measure.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. Authorities have launched a preliminary inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the gas leak and assess the extent of the damage. In a similar incident, 14 people, including Delhi Police personnel and firemen, were injured after an LPG cylinder exploded during a fire at a stilt-plus-four-storey building in the Majlis Park area on Sunday morning. According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the fire broke out on the stilt floor of the building around 9am, where household items were stored on racks and a car was parked. As flames were noticed on the ground level, residents gathered outside their homes.Some locals attempted to move the parked vehicle out of the stilt area while emergency teams laid out hoses and began firefighting operations. During the operation, an LPG cylinder suddenly exploded, triggering a massive fireball. The flames quickly spread, engulfing those present at the spot.