Senior Cong functionary among 2 dead, hope fades for missing 2 as house collapses after LPG cylinder blast

Meerut: Congress’ city unit chief of Meerut’s Sardhana town was among two persons killed and seven others were injured when a fire at an illegal cracker making factory triggered an LPG cylinder blast on Thursday morning. Impact of the blast was so powerful that the house of the local leader, Aasim Khan -- where the illegal factory was allegedly being run-- came down. And several adjacent buildings were also damaged.

Police and fire department teams were pressed into service for the rescue operations. Seven persons including two children were pulled out and taken to a hospital.

Rescue operation was underway till late in the evening as two more persons were still stuck in the debris.

Sardhana’s circle office RP Shahi said, “Prima facie, the blast occurred after the gas cylinder caught fire. Forensic teams are also investigating to find the reason behind the blast. The Congress city president of Sardhana and another person died. At least 10 more houses were damaged.”

Meanwhile, the two others stuck in the debris are feared to have died. Despite long hours of rescue operation, they could not be found.

“A probe has been set up in the matter and it is being checked what led to the accident,” said Shahi.