Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur/Durg
Raipur/Durg, May 12: Four members of a family, including a toddler, were killed after a domestic cooking gas cylinder exploded inside a house in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district on Tuesday, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the residence within minutes.
The tragic incident occurred in Ward No. 4 of the Kumhari area and has left the locality in shock and mourning.
According to police officials, the explosion took place suddenly inside the house, and the intensity of the blast rapidly spread flames across the structure, trapping the occupants before they could escape.
Residents nearby reportedly heard cries for help and rushed to assist, but the fire spread so quickly that no one could enter the burning house in time to rescue the victims.
Emergency response teams, including police personnel and firefighters, reached the spot soon after the incident was reported and managed to bring the blaze under control.
After the fire was extinguished, rescue teams recovered four charred bodies from inside the house.
The deceased were identified as Anil Vaishnav (45), Lakshmi Vaishnav (20), an 18-year-old member of the family, and one-and-a-half-year-old Gopika. The death of the infant has intensified grief among residents and relatives.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim, in addition to compensation already available under government provisions.
In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister described the deaths as deeply painful and said instructions had been issued for a thorough investigation into the incident. He also stated that arrangements were being made for the affected family members and necessary support services.
Authorities suspect the explosion may have been linked to a cooking gas cylinder, though officials said all possible angles, including electrical faults and technical lapses in the gas connection, are being examined.
The police have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast.
Senior leaders, including Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Education Minister Gajendra Yadav, and MP Vijay Baghel, expressed condolences over the incident and reviewed relief measures.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination as the community struggles to cope with the devastating loss suffered by the Vaishnav family.