Cylinder explodes at biryani shop at Golibar Sq

Nagpur: Panic gripped the busy Golibar Chowk area on Saturday morning after a major fire broke out at a biryani shop, with a gas cylinder explosion intensifying the blaze. Swift action by the fire brigade averted a potential disaster in the densely packed locality.The fire department received an alert around 8am and rushed two tenders from Ganjipeth and Sugat Nagar stations to the site in the crowded commercial hub.Officials said a gas cylinder inside the shop exploded while the fire was raging, triggering panic among residents and shopkeepers. Firefighters, however, managed to remove two more cylinders from the premises in time, preventing further escalation.The property, owned by Mahadev Bhajikhaye and leased to Manish Bajirao, houses the biryani outlet. Kitchen equipment, stock and other materials were gutted in the incident, with losses estimated at around ₹4 lakh.Given the congestion in the Golibar Chowk area, there was a high risk of the fire spreading to adjoining establishments. Fire crews brought the flames under control before they could spread.The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. No injuries were reported.