UP: Five killed in oxygen cylinder explosion in Jaunpur, building collapses

VARANASI: At least five persons were killed while five others suffered grave injuries when a building collapsed following an

oxygen cylinder explosion

near Jagdishpur railway crossing under Line Bazar police station in Jaunpur district on Thursday evening.



Jaunpur district magistrate Arvind Malappa Bangari, SP Ashish Tiwari and other officials rushed to the accident site to monitor rescue work.

Reports stated that on the ground floor of the building - owned by Harishchandra Patel - one Vijay Pratap Singh was running his shop - 'Singh Oxygen and Medical Agency' - since 1990. The license of the shop was issued in the name of Singh's wife Sumant Singh.

On Thursday evening, an oxygen cylinder exploded after which entire building collapsed, said Line Bazar police. The sound of the explosion led to chaos in the market and people started running helter skelter. After few minutes locals could know about the incident and started efforts to remove debris for rescuing people buried under it. On getting information, police, rescue teams and fire fighters reached the spot.

Till late evening, 10 persons were rescued and rushed to district hospital where doctors declared five of them brought dead. Jaunpur SP confirmed five deaths in this incident. He said some labourers constructing a temple near the accident site were standing near the shop for some work when the explosion took place. Five of them died in the explosion.

The Jaunpur DM has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident to know the actual cause of explosion.