Gurgaon: Two cooking gas cylinders exploded after a fire broke out at a food court operating from a shop in Sector 17 market Thursday evening, triggering panic among people in the area.No one was injured in the incident, even as the blaze gutted the shop and destroyed furniture, equipment and other items.According to fire department officials, the blaze is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. However, the exact cause will be ascertained after a detailed assessment.“The fire department received information about the blaze around 5.30pm and rushed three fire tenders from Sector 29 and Bhim Nagar fire stations to the spot. Firefighters began efforts to contain the flames as the fire rapidly spread through the shop,” the officer said.Firefighters found the flames had spread rapidly inside the shop and immediately began efforts to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining establishments.During the firefighting operation, two LPG cylinders kept inside the food court exploded with loud blasts. The explosions triggered panic among people in the market and added to the risk for firefighters working to control the blaze. However, no casualties were reported in the incident.Firefighters continued the operation for nearly two hours before bringing the blaze completely under control. By the time the fire was extinguished, the shop and the furniture, cooking equipment and other items kept inside had been gutted.A fire department officer said the initial assessment pointed towards a short circuit as the possible cause of the blaze.The officer added, “The preliminary assessment indicated that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. The exact cause and extent of the damage will be ascertained after a detailed assessment.”Officials said the presence of the LPG cylinders made the firefighting operation more challenging, particularly after the cylinders exploded.
