Bengaluru: At least two LPG cylinders exploded in a shop that caught fire in Kammagondanahalli on Saturday evening, triggering panic among residents of the building. No casualties were reported.The residents suspect that the fire was caused by a gas leak, which spread to oil cans stored in the shop in north Bengaluru. The explosions damaged the shop’s sheet roofing, sending debris flying.According to police, the incident happened at MSA Lubricants, adjacent to Masjid E-Noorani. The shop belongs to Syed Fairoz, and the building is owned by Mohammed Hidayatullah.The residents alleged that more than 20 cylinders were kept in the shop, while police said only four commercial cylinders were stored along with a few 5 kg cylinders. The shop owner is a dealer in lubricant oils of various brands and stored oil cans in the shop. He had also stored two cans of thinner.As the fire broke out, a couple of cylinders exploded, leaving the building engulfed in flames and sending shockwaves through the neighbourhood. People offering prayers at the mosque rushed out in panic after hearing the explosions, while residents of nearby houses fled to safer places, fearing more blasts.Based on preliminary information, police said it was not yet clear whether the fire broke out due to a gas leak while a cylinder was being refilled at the shop. The shop owner claimed that the electricity switchboard was open as he wanted to fix it. He had told his employee that an electrician would visit the shop Sunday.He suspects that the fire broke out due to a short circuit and then waste kept just outside caught fire, which then spread to the building, causing the cylinders to explode.A senior officer said, “We are investigating whether illegal gas refilling was being carried out at the shop. We found a few small cylinders, and the matter is being investigated.”The residents alleged that the shop also stored kerosene and sold it in small quantities. They questioned why such an activity was allowed in the area and demanded accountability.A water tanker rushed to the spot and doused the fire before it could spread to the upper floors. Gangammanagudi police registered a case of a fire accident.
