Akola: LPG cylinders reportedly exploded after a fire broke out at a caterer’s residence at Akot city in Akola district on Thursday evening, triggering panic in a densely populated residential area. The incident occurred around 5pm in Ahilyabai Holkar Colony on Lohari Road.While officials said two cylinders exploded, videos of the incident circulating on social media point to explosion in more cylinders, with loud successive blasts heard in the footage. Some local residents claimed that several cylinders were stored in the house.According to preliminary information, the house belongs to Vijay Ingle. The explosion was powerful enough to shatter the window panes of nearby houses. The fire destroyed a large portion of household items and catering equipment. No casualties were reported in the incident. According to preliminary estimates, property and materials worth around Rs18 lakh were destroyed in the fire.Fire brigade personnel from the Akot Municipal Council managed to bring the blaze under control in time. Local residents alerted neighbours and evacuated nearby homes, which helped avert a major tragedy.Police from Akot City Police Station, revenue officials and fire brigade personnel conducted a preliminary inspection.Akot city police station in-charge Amol Malve said the revenue department had carried out a spot panchnama and initial findings suggested that the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit. “The process of registering an offence has been initiated and further investigation is underway,” Malve told TOI over the phone.
