Three labourers killed in cylinder blast

Yamunanagar, Aug 7 (UNI) In a massive explosion caused by a gas cylinder this afternoon, three labourers were killed on the spot and three others, including the owner, seriously injured in a factory here.

The blast, which gutted the small factory in the industrial area of this town, was so powerful that the entire neighbourhood of the Himanshu Engineering Works was rocked, eye-witnesses said.

The factory was set ablaze and three fire tenders struggled for more than half an hour to contain the fire, which extensively damaged the premises.

There were 11 employees at the unit but many of the employees were saved as they were away for lunch.

Two of the deceased have been identified as Bunty of Saharanpur and Devider Kumar of Yamunanagar. The third person is also believed to be a local resident, police said adding that the bodies were badly charred.

The injured have been admitted in private hospitals, it added.

According to witnesses, no safety measures were in place in the factory. A case of negligence has been registered against the owners of the factory, one of whom, Mr Himanshu, is in the hospital. His partner is reportedly absconding, police said.

The administrative officials including DC Satpal Kaushik, SP Raman and SDM Narinder Singh visited the blast site but there was no news of any relief announcement for the victims so far.

However, the Red Cross Society has announced to give Rs 10,000 as relief to the families of the victims.

UNI XC JN PR KP2053