Amraiz Khan
A barrage of cylinder blasts at Barkat Market on Tuesday rocked the City, leaving a person injured while damaged nearby property including 17 vehicles.
According to eye-witnesses, the LPG gas cylinders blew up one by one at the market, making it difficult for anyone to go near the spot.
“As many as 10 cylinders exploded one after another n a span of no time, which panicked the entire area and people started running for saving lives,” they said.
They informed that one person sustained burns in the incident who was immediately shifted to Jinnah Hospital by Rescue 1122.
According to recue sources, 17 vehicles and multiple shops have been damaged in the incident as per initial assessment.
All the nearby shops in the Barkat Market were vacated over fears of further damage as fire erupted over a vast area after the explosion, which the rescue fire-fighter extinguished well in time.
The rescue, police, and district administration cordoned off the surroundings to avoid any further loss.
Rescue 1122 teams reached the site shortly after the incident and launched the rescue operation which was completed after two and half hours after the cylinder blast which spread fear among locals.
As per details, a 50-year-old Muhammad Boota, rickshaw driver, was injured and shifted to the Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment.
Lahore Division Commissioner Muhammad Usman and police officers visited the blast site and it was revealed that the cylinder refilling site was illegal.
Local citizens demanded action against officers for the negligence on running of an illegal business of gas refilling in the Barkat Market.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the incident and sought a report from Lahore Division Commissioner and Lahore CCPO. The CM directed officials to utilise all-out resources to control the situation.
Lahore Division Commissioner Capt (r) Muhammad Usman said that an inquiry committee has been set up comprising Additional Commissioner (Revenue), AC Model Town, District Civil Defence Officer, DO Rescue and MO Regulations. AC (General) Usman Jalees issued the notification of the inquiry committee.
