Bengaluru's working class area wakes up to deafening blast; 17 houses damaged

Bengaluru: Friday’s suspected gas cylinder blast in Chinnayanapalya, a working-class neighbourhood near Wilson Garden, shook the area residents as it damaged 17 homes. 

Several houses with asbestos sheet roofs were completely damaged,  and their broken pieces injured at least two people. Glass shards from the windows were strewn all over the place. 

Ataullah, whose 10-year-old nephew Mubarak died in the explosion, said that the wall collapsed on the boy’s leg and he bleeded from the ears due to the loud sound. 

The boy was rushed to Jayanagar Government Hospital and succumbed to injuries there. The boy’s sister Zoya Fathima is also serious, Ataullah told DH. 

The post-mortem of Mubarak was held at St John’s Medical College Hospital. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a compensation Rs 5 lakh to Mubarak’s family. 

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who is also the local MLA, promised that the government would carry out all repairs and pay all hospital bills. 

One of the neighbours said: “They were good kids. They are three siblings and attend the Chinnapalya government school. It is sad to see kids who grew up in front of us die in such an unfortunate incident.” 

Aiyappa, a daily wage worker, his wife Kasthuri and their daughter Khayal have in the house where the blast occurred for six years, now. 

While Aiyappa left home early on Friday, Kasthuri and Khayal were at home when the explosion tore through the house. 

Kasthuri sustained 36% burns with an inhalational component, while her daughter suffered 31% burns with a head injury, according to doctors at the burns unit of Victoria Hospital, where both are being treated. 

Johnson, another neighbour, said: “The family ran out of LPG cylinder two days ago. Kasthuri brought a cylinder in the black market on Thursday night and connected it. The blast occurred when she turned on the stove this morning. It was gut-wrenching to see the child get burnt so much.” 

Naveen, who runs a decor management store in the locality, said: “The wall and sheet of our small godown have collapsed and damaged items worth about Rs 70,000. We had new items for the upcoming Ganesha festival. Everything has gone to waste now.” 

A paanipuri vendor from UP who has been residing in the area for three years said: “Our puris have been crushed and other items damaged. The asbestos sheet fell on my head and cut through my eyebrows,” he said, pointing towards his injury.