What Happened at the Blast Site in Bengaluru?

Bengaluru, Aug 15 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inspected the scene of the explosion at Srirama Colony in Bengaluru's Chinnayyanapalya, emphasizing that the precise cause of the blast will be identified after the debris has been cleared.

A tragic incident resulted in the death of a boy and injuries to several others during the explosion reported within the jurisdiction of the Audugodi police station on Friday, triggering fear among locals who were engaged in Independence Day festivities.

Following his visit, CM Siddaramaiah declared that the government would provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of the deceased boy.

He further stated that the government will cover the medical costs for the nine injured individuals, and that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will oversee the repair and reconstruction of damaged homes.

The CM remarked, "Today witnessed a distressing event. At first glance, it appears to be a cylinder explosion. Nonetheless, there was no discernible smell. Police and forensic examinations suggest it could be a cylinder blast."

He continued, "Investigators from the Forensic, Fire, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are probing the cause of the explosion. The exact cause will be determined once the debris is cleared. Initial indications suggest it was caused by a cylinder blast."

"This area comprises many small homes where residents live closely together. I have instructed Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao of BBMP to expedite repairs on the affected houses. We have nine injured individuals and one fatality. A 10-year-old boy, Mubarak, residing in the adjacent house, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital," Siddaramaiah shared.

"The explosion occurred at the residence of Kasturamma, who is currently hospitalized at Victoria Hospital with 30% burn injuries. Other victims include Narasamma (50) and Sabrina Banu (35), both admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, alongside others being treated in various hospitals. The government will compensate Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased boy, Mubarak, and will cover medical expenses for the injured," the CM announced.

"The medical costs for Kasturamma, the homeowner who sustained 30% burn injuries, will also be funded by the government. Approximately 13 homes were damaged, and we will ensure their prompt repair. Homes that have collapsed will be reconstructed," CM Siddaramaiah added.

The explosion reportedly took place at Kasturamma's residence in Srirama Colony. Mubarak lived next door. The blast's intensity caused the roof of Kasturamma’s house to collapse, damaging about eight nearby homes.

Many residents had already left for work early in the morning, likely preventing more severe casualties. Local accounts suggest that some individuals suffered serious injuries. Emergency services, including the Fire and Emergency Services and the SDRF, quickly responded to the scene.

A witness recounted, “I was downstairs when we heard a massive explosion at 8:15 a.m., and a stone struck my head. I screamed and got up, and by that time, the roof had collapsed. We fled our home. My house is merely four feet away from the explosion site, and the noise was deafening. An iron cupboard, which typically requires four people to lift, was thrown into the air. If it were a cylinder blast, there would have been an odor, but there was none.”

She added, “I’m unsure of what caused the explosion; it felt more like a bomb blast. We were about to fetch water when it occurred, and we hurried out of our homes; otherwise, we would have faced more harm.”

Another resident stated, “My wife’s head is swollen. I am still experiencing pressure from the incident.”

The Audugodi police have filed a case and are continuing their investigation.