Ahmedabad: Four firemen were injured when a gas cylinder in a makeshift hut exploded as a team of fire personnel went to tackle an electric fire in a public garden in Sector 4 of Gandhinagar. Three of them are undergoing treatment at

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

, said Rajesh Patel, in-charge chief fire officer.
Patel said that at about 10.50pm on Friday, the fire department received a call from one Pradip, who informed them that there was a fire in the distribution pole (DP) of an electrical system. "As the team was fitting the nozzles an explosion occurred, injuring four firemen — Mahavirsinh Chauhan, Ranjit Thakor, Vipul Desai, and Bhupendra Patel — who received burn injuries," said Patel.
"Bhupendra Patel received minor injuries and was admitted to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, while the other three were rushed to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital," Patel said.
Patel said that the cleaner, Hemant Vala, of a public toilet was staying near the DP and had made a makeshift hut. "He had kept an LPG cylinder, which exploded, causing a major blast," Patel said.

Gandhinagar municipal chief J N Vaghela visited the relatives of the injured and assured them of all possible help. "Vaghela assured the family that if required, the injured would be shifted to a private hospital and the entire cost of the treatment would be borne by the

Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation

," said Patel.
Patel said that Vala was not present in the hut when the cylinder blast took place.
Dr Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, said that three patients were brought in with moderate to high burns. "Two of them had also inhaled hot air and fumes so their respiratory system is also affected. They are under observation," said Joshi.