BENGALURU: Panic swept through Kaggadasapura in east Bengaluru on Wednesday morning after at least three LPG cylinders stored in a shed exploded, alarming residents and schoolchildren. Though no casualties were reported, the blasts damaged a couple of windowpanes at the nearby National Centre For Excellence (NCFE) school, raising concerns among residents and parents.Based on preliminary information, police said the incident happened between 10.30am and 10.45am.A makeshift shed located on vacant land belonging to a person at 6th Cross, Malleshpalya, in Kaggadasapura was being used to store LPG cylinders, including commercial, domestic and mini cylinders of three- and five-kg capacity. Police said the cylinders were stored in the shed illegally.Police suspect that illegal gas refilling was being carried out in the shed. A senior officer said at least three cylinders of three- and five-kg capacity exploded one after another. Fortunately, the commercial and domestic cylinders did not explode.Around 50 cylinders were stored in the shed. The land is located close to NCFE school and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park, while a factory is also situated nearby. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.At the time of the explosions, classes were being conducted at the school. Police suspect that the school’s windowpanes were damaged either due to the blast waves or the heat generated by the explosions.Soon after learning about the incident, Byappanahalli police rushed to the spot and inspected the area. Police said that if anyone had been inside or near the shed when the explosions occurred, they would likely have sustained injuries, but no such person was found.Fire and emergency officials also rushed to the spot with a water tanker and doused the fire. Police suspect that the land is under dispute and are collecting details about who had stored the cylinders in the shed.
