In a major incident early Saturday morning, a truck carrying more than 60 cooking gas cylinders exploded en route to Ghaziabad, leading to a massive fire. The explosion occurred around 4 a.m. and was reportedly caused by a fire that broke out in the truck, likely due to friction between the cylinders, officials said.
The devastating explosion caused widespread damage in the surrounding area. At least four furniture shops in the vicinity were completely gutted by the flames, and several nearby parked vehicles were also reduced to ashes, officials from the fire department confirmed.
Chief Fire Officer Rahul Pal informed PTI that the fire was so intense that it required the deployment of over eight fire tenders to bring it under control. The firefighting operation lasted for more than 90 minutes before the flames could be completely extinguished. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
The deafening sound of the explosion sent waves of panic through the area. Residents, fearing for their safety, quickly vacated their homes and ran for cover as the mayhem unfolded. Some described the explosion as being so loud and violent that they initially thought it was a bomb blast.
According to officials, the driver of the truck, upon noticing the fire, acted quickly and parked the vehicle near a petrol pump. However, shortly after, a series of powerful blasts occurred, forcing the staff at the petrol pump to abandon the premises. The pump was subsequently shut down as a precautionary measure.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a few of the gas cylinders were hurled into the petrol pump premises due to the force of the explosion. Luckily, these cylinders did not ignite or explode, averting an even larger catastrophe.
Dinesh Kasana, a local BJP office-bearer, claimed that approximately 100 cylinders exploded during the incident, although this figure has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
The incident has raised serious concerns among political leaders and residents of the area. BJP Loni MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar called for a thorough investigation into the explosion. “The officers of the gas refilling plant must be held accountable and punished for this negligence. This incident could have posed a significant threat to the Hindon air base, which is located just about a kilometer away from the blast site,” he said.
Adding to the concerns, Khatuali MLA Madan Bhaiyya, who resides in the Loni area, highlighted the potential dangers posed by the presence of multiple petroleum companies in the vicinity. Referring specifically to the Teela Morh area, where three petroleum companies are reportedly located, Bhaiyya warned, “A major accident of even greater magnitude could happen at any time.”
The incident has reignited debates about the safety protocols and the regulatory oversight of hazardous materials being transported through densely populated areas. Local authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure that adequate measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.
While the immediate fire and destruction have been contained, the long-term implications of this explosion have left the local community shaken, with many questioning the safety of their surroundings and the accountability of those responsible. Investigations into the cause of the incident and lapses, if any, are expected to follow in the coming days.
