3 family members injured in gas cylinder blast in southeast Delhi

NEW DLEHI: At least three members of a family suffered serious burn injuries after a suspected gas cylinder explosion at their home in Madanpur Khadar, southeast Delhi, early on Saturday morning, officials said. The victims, identified as Jagdish (52), his wife Laxmi (48), and their son Jotish (26), sustained severe burns. Jagdish suffered around 80 per cent burns, Laxmi about 70 per cent, while Jotish had nearly 25 per cent of his body affected, police said. Delhi Fire Services received a call at 4.46 am, prompting the dispatch of three fire tenders to the scene. A senior police officer said the explosion occurred inside the single-storey house while the family was asleep. "Preliminary reports point to a possible LPG cylinder leak. The exact cause will be confirmed after a technical inspection of the site," he added. Jagdish, a daily-wage mason, and his son, who works at a salon in Noida, were initially taken to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. Laxmi, a homemaker, was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre. All three were later moved to the burns ward at Safdarjung Hospital, where Jagdish and Jotish are reported to be stable, while Laxmi remains in critical condition. Visuals from the site showed debris scattered across the house, shattered glass, and household items thrown from their usual places by the force of the blast. Local residents said they initially thought the explosion was an earthquake. "It happened around 4.30 am. I was in the washroom when a loud bang shook our house. I thought it might be an earthquake," said neighbour Shyamal Burman. He added that when he went downstairs, he saw the couple on the ground, calling for help. Police have registered an FIR under the relevant sections and are investigating the incident.