Hyderabad: Gas cylinder blast in van near Ghatkesar, disaster narrowly averted

A gas cylinder explosion inside a Maruti Omni van caused a fire near Annojiguda in Ghatkesar on Friday. The vehicle crashed into a petrol bunk, but quick action by staff prevented a major disaster. No injuries were reported.

Hyderabad: A major disaster was narrowly avoided when a Maruti Omni van caught fire after a gas cylinder inside the vehicle exploded near Annojiguda in Ghatkesar on Friday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The incident occurred while the van was traveling from Ghatkesar towards Uppal.

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According to the police, flames erupted suddenly inside the vehicle, prompting the occupants to jump out and flee to safety. In the chaos, the driver reportedly failed to apply the hand brake, causing the burning van to move uncontrollably and crash into a nearby petrol bunk.

The situation could have turned tragic, but the alertness of the petrol pump staff prevented it by quickly responding by using fire extinguishers and managed to douse the flames before the fire could spread further.

The incident triggered panic among petrol bunk employees, passing motorists and local residents.

The Ghatkesar Police and Fire department officials later reached the spot and started investigation into the cause of the cylinder explosion.