Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Three members of a family were killed, while a five-year-old girl survived after leaping from the first-floor balcony of a burning apartment following an LPG cylinder explosion that triggered a massive fire in Pune’s Kharadi area on Friday morning.
The deceased were identified as Pandurang Gite (35), a software professional, his father Vishnu Gite (60), and mother Vrundavani Gite (55). All three sustained severe burn injuries in the explosion and later succumbed during treatment.
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The incident occurred around 9.15 am at a flat in the Fortune City apartment complex in Kharadi.
According to preliminary findings, the explosion took place when the family was replacing an empty domestic LPG cylinder with a newly refilled one. Investigators suspect that gas leaked rapidly during the replacement process and came into contact with an open flame, triggering a powerful blast that tore through the house.
Police said the explosion caused extensive damage to the kitchen, living room, and adjoining portions of the residence.
In a dramatic escape, Pandurang Gite’s five-year-old daughter, Niharika, survived after jumping from the first-floor balcony of the burning apartment. Local residents managed to catch the child, preventing a fatal fall. She sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Pandurang’s wife, Rajashree Gite (25), escaped unharmed as she was not in the immediate vicinity when the explosion occurred.
The three victims were found unconscious at the scene and rushed to hospital, where doctors later declared them dead.
Police have registered an accidental death report and launched an investigation to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Officials said a detailed probe is underway, though preliminary evidence points to an LPG leak as the likely cause of the fatal explosion.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
