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Deadly leak

Published 3 months ago3 minute read

A family’s joyous moment of stepping into their newly built home in Doddaballapur turned into a nightmare on Saturday when a gas cylinder explosion left six members severely injured.

While the injured, including two children, undergo treatment, for Bengaluru, this news of cylinder blasts has become routine.

The alarming frequency of cylinder blasts has raised questions about safety measures and compliance with regulations. As many as 204 cylinder blasts due to leakage have been reported in 2024. These accidents have caused multiple fatalities, left many injured, and led to significant property damage.

According to M Siddaraju, DFO, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (North), gas leaks often result from faulty regulators and from people carelessly leaving stove knobs on. When leakage occurs, gas fills the room, and minor actions like switching lights on or off can trigger a fire. He emphasises on turning the gas off when not in use as a precaution. If a leak occurs, gas settles inside the room; switching on lights upon entering can cause blasts. Long-term use of gas pipes and regulators may lead to loosening or wear, so he advises that they be replaced every year.

On the morning of January 13, a gas cylinder leak led to an explosion around 8.30 am in Chokkasandra, T Dasarahalli. The blast severely damaged 6-7 houses, injuring five people, including a child. On October 21, a young man sustained serious injuries following a gas cylinder explosion in a residential area under SG Palya police station limits. The man, Pawan, was making tea in his living room when the cylinder exploded.

In September, an

LPG cylinder explosion

occurred at Sanjay Gandhi Nagar, Old Baiyappanahalli injuring four people and damaging 12 homes. The explosion demolished four houses, partially damaged eight, and wrecked a parked vehicle.

Yunus Ali Kauser

, director, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, explains that gas cylinder explosions typically occur only when exposed to external heat, which causes the gas inside to expand, increasing pressure until it leads to an explosion.

LPG itself doesn’t spontaneously combust, he said. “Without external heat, 99.9% of gas cylinders will not explode; it requires ignition.

However, gas leaks are common due to its heavier-than-air nature, settling on the ground and igniting if exposed to a spark. Issues like faulty washers, improper fitting, or negligence can contribute to leaks. LPG, a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, is colourless and odourless,” he said.

He explained that the smell is from a chemical that is added in LPG so that leaks can be detected, underscoring the need for proper ventilation.

Origin:
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Bangalore Mirror
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