A massive fire erupted in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh when a truck carrying gas cylinders caught fire and exploded. The explosive immediately led to a series of explosions that engulfed several shops and vehicles. The accident, which happened early in the morning, has caused heavy property damage but has resulted in no casualty so far.
Truck Carrying Gas Cylinders Catches Fire: Bhopura Chowk Blaze
It erupted around 3:30 am at Bhopura Chowk on Delhi-Wazirabad Road in the Thana Teela Mod area. Councillor Om Pal Bhatti confirmed that police and fire brigade personnel acted in time to curtail the blaze. However, the continuous blasts from the gas cylinders made it very difficult to control the flames.
Firefighting Efforts Were Extremely Challenging: Truck Carrying Gas Cylinders Catches Fire
According to Chief Fire Officer Rahul Pal, the fire service had received an initial report regarding the incident at about 4:35 am. Due to the explosion’s ferocity, firefighters could hardly get close to the fire for a while. The police promptly evacuated the adjacent residents to take them to safe locations.
According to Pal, “Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and police vacated the nearby houses. The fire spread to two to three houses and some vehicles. The situation was brought under control after a rigorous firefighting operation.”
Heavily Damaged Properties In The Neighboring Areas
The blasts shattered windows and severely damaged structures due to the impacts of the blast. Locals claimed that these impacts shattered the windows and heavily damaged structures that included a wooden godown, a hotel, and several shops.
We heard loud explosions around 3:30 am and rushed outside with our children. The cylinders kept exploding, and parts of them landed on our house. The grills of our terrace are broken, and the shutters of our shop and water tanker are damaged,” said Sachin, a local resident.
The sound of the explosions was reportedly heard several kilometers away, further adding to the panic among residents.
This is not the first fire incident involving a gas cylinder in Uttar Pradesh. This month, a fire incident occurred in Prayagraj due to the explosion of three cooking gas cylinders. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Similarly, on January 30, a fire broke out in the Chatnag Ghat Police Station area of Prayagraj, affecting 15 tents. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Fire department officials later confirmed that the tents were unauthorized.
Truck Carrying Gas Cylinders Catches Fire Investigation Underway to Determine the Cause
The cause of the fire in Ghaziabad has not been ascertained yet. Officials are investigating whether the fire started due to a technical fault, leakage in the gas cylinders, or some other reason. The district administration is also assessing the total financial loss incurred by the affected residents and business owners.
CFO Rahul Pal has assured that appropriate measures will be taken so that such an incident does not happen again. “We are coordinating with the police to look into the incident and ensure all safety protocols are adhered to for transporting gas cylinders.”
Safety Precautions While Truck Carrying Gas Cylinders
In recent times, due to increased gas cylinder blast cases, the importance of safety measures is high. Here are a few must-dos:
Proper Storage and Handling: Cylinders should be stored in well-ventilated places, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Routine Safety Checks: Transport vehicles should be regularly checked for leaks or structural damage.
Use of Certified Equipment: All gas cylinders should be approved by relevant authorities and fitted with safety valves.
Emergency Response Training: Drivers and transport personnel should be trained on how to handle fire emergencies.
Strict Compliance with Regulation: Authorities have to ensure stiff regulations for carrying hazardous materials through transportation.
FAQs
1. What caused the fire in Ghaziabad?
The reason is yet unknown as authorities are analyzing whether it has been a technical fault or there has been some leakage of gas or another issue.
2. Are there casualties reported?
There are no reported casualties or injured persons due to this incident.
3. How much property damage was caused?
The fire damaged several shops, houses, vehicles, and a hotel. The total financial loss is still being assessed by the authorities.
4. How did the fire department control the situation?
Firefighters and police officers acted promptly to control the blaze. However, continuous explosions from the gas cylinders initially made firefighting efforts difficult. After a rigorous operation, the fire was completely extinguished.
5. What are the measures to prevent such accidents?
Some of the measures for safety would include regular inspection, proper handling of gas cylinders, training of transport personnel, and strict compliance with safety regulations.
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