BAHAWALNAGAR: Three teenage girls suffered burns after a powerful explosion caused by a gas leak ignited a fire in their home in Chishtian on Saturday noon.

District Officer (Emergency) Rao Sharafat told Dawn that the incident occurred in Farooq Colony at 1:48pm when the occupants of the house lit a match to cook something in the kitchen.

He said the gas that had accumulated due to a leak, caused a powerful explosion that engulfed the entire house.

As a result, Hadia Yousuf (16), Sadia Yousuf (17), and Fatima Ramzan (18) suffered burn injuries in the incident. According to rescue personnel, the injured were taken to the Chishtian THQ Hospital and were undergoing treatment.

Health CEO Dr Shaukat Ali informed Dawn that the girls had suffered burns on 40 to 60 percent of their bodies and had been transferred to Multan’s burn unit due to their serious condition.

Rescue 1122 has issued a public advisory recommending that if the smell of gas was detected anywhere in the home, open the windows immediately, avoid using any open flames or electrical switches, and inform 1122 right away.

INJURED: Five schoolgirls and their attendant were injured when a motorcycle rickshaw overturned when they were on their way home from school in Minchinabad on Saturday noon.

According to rescue officials, at around 2:13pm, a motorcycle rickshaw transporting schoolgirls flipped over near the Sunyaron Wali Sadki area in Minchinabad, injuring five girls aged seven to fifteen and their attendant.

The injured were immediately taken to the Minchinabad THQ Hospital.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2026