Five, Including Three Children, Killed in Cylinder Explosion in Ayodhya

Ayodhya (U.P.), Oct 10: A powerful LPG cylinder explosion late Thursday night claimed the lives of five people, including three children, in Pagla Bhari village under the Pur Kalander Police Station limits in Ayodhya district. The blast completely destroyed the house, trapping several people under the debris.

Senior police officials, including SSP Dr. Gaurav Grover, SP (City) Chakrapani Tripathi, and CO Ayodhya, rushed to the site and supervised the rescue operations. Heavy machinery, including JCBs, was deployed to clear the rubble and search for survivors.

According to preliminary reports, a loud explosion shook the village around midnight, bringing residents rushing to the spot. Locals immediately alerted the police, who initiated rescue efforts. District Hospital Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) Dr. Ashish Pathak confirmed that five people were brought to the hospital with severe burn injuries but were declared dead on arrival.

Police officials recovered a damaged LPG cylinder and a pressure cooker from the scene, leading investigators to suspect a gas leak as the cause of the explosion. “A leakage from an LPG cylinder appears to have triggered the blast,” officials said, adding that the intensity of the explosion caused the structure to collapse instantly.

The deceased include three children and two adults, identified as members of a family residing in a newly constructed house belonging to Ram Kumar, located on the outskirts of the village. Witnesses reported that the explosion was so strong that nearby houses trembled, and debris was scattered across a wide area.

Rescue teams continue to comb through the remains of the house amid fears that more victims could still be trapped. Nearby homes have been temporarily evacuated as a safety measure.

SSP Dr. Gaurav Grover, who is overseeing the rescue efforts on site, stated that an investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause of the blast. Police have cordoned off the area, and forensic experts are expected to arrive to examine the remnants of the cylinder and other materials.

Pur Kalander Police Station in-charge Sanjeev Singh confirmed the incident and said further details will be released after the completion of rescue and forensic operations.