Coimbatore: Cylinder blast in roadside shop hurts three on bus

Coimbatore: A government bus was damaged and three of its passengers injured, when a gas cylinder burst from a roadside gas stove service shop in Coimbatore on Saturday.

The cylinder burst into flames when 44-year-old Mugrudheen who runs a gas stove service shop on Ukkadam-Karumbukadai road here, was repairing a gas stove and the gas started to leak after the regulator had developed a fault.

Even as the fire quickly spread, Mugrudheen’s efforts to separate the cylinder from the stove was of no avail, as he apparently forgot to turn off its regulator, police said.

The flames, which spread to the cylinder nozzle, turned intense, releasing the pressure outside. Seeing this Mugrudheen got panic and kicked the burning cylinder out of his shop, which came rolling outside like a huge ball of flame.

Even as people nearby ran helter-skelter and shopkeepers’ downed shutters, the fire triggered panic among the passing motorists as well, sources said.

A town bus, which was heading to Eddimadai from Gandhipuram, approaching the spot was hit by the cylinder shell that flew out and smashed the vehicle’s front glass panes, sources said.

Smattering glass pieces also hit three women passengers seated near the window, but they escaped with minor injuries.

Mugrudheen at once escaped from the spot leaving his shop open. Shopkeepers of Karumbukadai rescued the passengers and sent them to GH for first aid. Vehicular traffic on the road was blocked for 15 minutes.

Police on information rushed to the spot, cleared the traffic and also lodged a complaint against Mugrudheen. A search for the missing accused is on.