A suspected LPG gas leak caused a major fire in a house at Bhuna in Fatehabad district on Tuesday. The blaze destroyed cash, furniture, electronic goods and items collected for a young woman’s upcoming wedding.
The incident occurred at a house on Mochi Road in Ward No. 6 of Kamboj Mohalla. Farmer Kalaram Kamboj and his 18-year-old daughter Mamta Kamboj suffered burn injuries while trying to escape the flames.
According to family members, Kalaram, who cultivates leased land, had recently received payment for the wheat harvest. The family had used the money to buy furniture and household goods for Mamta’s marriage. A new laptop had also been purchased for Kalaram son’s education.
The family said a new LPG cylinder was installed on Monday. They suspect that gas leaked from the cylinder or regulator during the night, filling the room.
At 4 am on Tuesday, Kalaram entered the room to prepare tea. As soon as he switched on the gas stove and lit a matchstick, a powerful flash fire broke out.
Hearing his cries for help, Mamta rushed to rescue her father but was also caught in the flames. Within minutes, the fire spread across the room and engulfed furniture and electronic items along with other household belongings.
Residents rushed to the spot and tried to control the blaze. Fire tenders and a police team later arrived and extinguished the fire.
The family said household goods, furniture, a laptop, mobile phones, Rs 80,000 and other valuables were destroyed in the fire.
Mamta said the cylinder had been installed only a day earlier and a gas leak was suspected to be the cause of the fire.
The residents in the locality have urged the administration to provide compensation and financial assistance to the affected family.
Municipal Committee Chairperson’s representative Pankaj Pasrija visited the family and provided Rs 10,000 as immediate financial assistance. He also appealed to the residents and social organisations to extend support to the family, which had suffered losses in the fire. The police and fire officials are investigating the exact cause of the incident.