2 siblings killed in blast sparked by LPG leak

Varanasi: A 30-year-old man and his 28-year-old sister died, while their brother (31) and mother (60) were seriously injured after their dilapidated house collapsed due to an explosion triggered by an LPG cylinder leak in Varanasi's Lahartara area on Tuesday morning.As both LPG cylinders were found intact, investigation is underway to find out what triggered the blast, additional Commissioner of Police (law and order) Shivhari Meena said. The deceased were identified as Om Kumar Chaudhary (30) and his sister Preeti (28). The injured, Aman Kumar Chaudhary (31) and Girija Devi (60), were rushed to a hospital. ADCP Varuna Neetu Kadian said that Manduadih cops rushed to the scene and rescued four people trapped under the debris with the locals' help. They were taken to BHU's trauma centre, where Om and Preeti died during treatment. The condition of Girija Devi and Aman is said to be stable.Police were joined by the forensic department, bomb disposal squad, and firefighters at the scene. Senior officers oversaw the rescue. Once they confirmed no one else was trapped, a JCB machine cleared the rubble. Panic gripped the area after the explosion around 8 am. Neighbours rushed out to find a cloud of dust and the house reduced to rubble. The blast was so strong that it cracked the walls of nearby houses.