LAHORE: At least three persons suffered burns, while some vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, were damaged, when a huge fire erupted in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) decanting outlet on Multan Road here the other day.

The eyewitnesses say that the fire intensified when the gas cylinders stored in the shop exploded one after another, leaving three persons injured, one of them critically. They were later shifted to hospital.

The multiple explosions created panic among the area residents, particularly, those residing in the houses located near the shop. Many families were seen leaving their houses for their safety.

On being informed of the incident, several vehicles of Rescue 1122, along with firefighters, reached the scene, shifted the injured persons to hospital and managed to control the blaze after hours-long hectic efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Raffia Hider said the firefighters responded to the fire emergency call in six minutes and controlled the blaze after hectic efforts.

She said an investigation has been launched into the incident to find out the reasons behind the huge fire and the cylinder blasts.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2024