Cops probe illegal LPG cylinder stock after explosion at eatery leaves 10 injured

The accused had allegedly stocked 12 domestic LPG cylinders illegally, along with ten commercial LPG cylinders in the eatery’s kitchen. (Source: X/ ANI)

Pune rural police have booked two persons including the owner and manager of Hotel Jagdamba in Daund, on charges of negligence in connection to the explosion of a cooking gas cylinder at Hotel Jagdamba located on Daund Patas Road in Daund taluka about 75 kilometers from Pune City.

As per officials, the incident left ten kitchen staffers injured with some suffering grievous burns and are currently in critical condition.

Due to alleged negligence, one of the domestic LPG cylinders at the spot exploded around 1 pm on Wednesday damaging the roof, windows and furniture of the kitchen.

#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: A cylinder explosion occurred at the Jagdamba Hotel near Daund Patas Road.

DYSP Bapurao Dadas says, "Between 12:30 and 1:00 PM, a gas cylinder explosion was reported at the Jagdamba Hotel near Daund Patas Road. Ten labourers working at the hotel… pic.twitter.com/3Y82zwA7yW

Officials confirmed that there were no customers present when the explosion took place. However, as many as 10 workers in the kitchen received serious burn injuries who are currently undergoing treatment.

Police Havaldar Mahesh Bhosale lodged the First Information Report (FIR) in this case at the Daund police station. Police have booked the accused hotel manager and owner under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 125 (a), 125 (b) for acts endangering life or personal safety, 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 288 (negligent conduct concerning explosive substances) and sections of the Essential Commodities Act.

Police inspector Gopal Pawar of the Daund police station said that the condition of some of the victims is critical and they are undergoing treatment at the Sassoon general hospital in Pune city. “No arrest has been made yet. Further investigation is on,” said Pawar.

Police said a probe was on to know from where and when the accused procured the domestic LPG cylinders illegally.