Infant killed in cylinder blast

VISAKHAPATNAM: A powerful explosion triggered by a leaking LPG cylinder at a house rocked the Poorna Market area of the city early on Tuesday morning, claiming the life of a two-month old baby girl and leaving another 15, including three children, injured with severe burns.
The condition of four of the injured, K Pujitha (9), Santamma (50), house owner K Eswar Rao (38) and K Suribabu (32) is said to be critical.Initially the injured were admitted to King George Hospital (KGH) but those with critical burns were later shifted to a corporate hospital following the directions of deputy chief minister N Chinna Rajappa and minister Ayyanna Patrudu.
According to KGH doctors, K Eswar Rao sustained over 90% burns, while Santamma and Suribabu suffered over 80% burns and Pujitha around 60% burns.
Such was the impact of the explosion at the house at Rangireeju Veedhi at around 7 am, that it left several nearby houses damaged. In fact, the baby, who lived in a neighbouring house, died after a piece of asbestos sheet fell on her, sources said.
The incident occurred in the portion of Eswar Rao's house that was rented out to one K Satyanarayana, who was residing along with his wife, family of elder son K Narsinga Rao as well as unmarried younger son K Jayaram. Narsinga Rao has two daughters, Chandini %and Pujita.The accident took place when Narsinga Rao's wife Bujji was trying to light the gas stove in the morning with the help of neighbour K Suri Babu, who was called to check the gas leakage.
Satyanarayana and his two sons, who are observing Ayyappa deeksha, had a lucky escape as they were out of the house when the blast took place.
Sources said the cylinder had been leaking for the past two days and even attempts of a repair boy from the gas agency failed to stop the leakage. On Tuesday morning, Satyanarayana's daughter-in-law took Suribabu's help in capping the leakage. But when he was trying to fit the regulator onto the cylinder, the gas leaked with great force and a spark from an electrical device led to the explosion. Due to the impact of the blast, a portion of the kitchen wall collapsed and the windowpanes and doors of the house as well as those of nearby structures were also damaged, according to Mararanipeta zone inspector R Mallikharjuna Rao.