Bihar: Chaos Erupts Following Cylinder Blast at Historic Patna Museum
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Synopsis
A fire extinguisher cylinder explosion at the historic Patna Museum on March 27 caused panic and structural damage, but no casualties were reported. Officials attribute the blast to negligence in maintenance. The museum, known for its rich collection of artifacts, remains unharmed.
Key Takeaways
- Explosion caused by neglected fire extinguishers
- No casualties reported
- Patna Museum established in 1917
- Significant structural damage occurred
- Authorities quickly managed the situation
Patna, March 27 (NationPress) A fire extinguisher cylinder detonated in the historic Patna Museum on Thursday, unleashing chaos and resulting in cracked walls and shattered glass doors.
The explosive sound reverberated throughout the vicinity, startling both local residents and museum personnel.
The blast originated from the old fire extinguisher cylinders stored on the museum grounds.
The force of the explosion was significant, causing structural damage and indicating the severity of the incident.
In the aftermath, smoke billowed across the premises, fostering an atmosphere of panic. Reports suggest that the fire extinguishers involved had been neglected for an extended period.
Officials believe that the lack of regular maintenance was the main factor leading to the explosion. It was discovered that the fire extinguishers were left exposed to sunlight without being properly defused, resulting in dangerous pressure accumulation.
A source indicated, "The fire extinguisher cylinders had been lying idle for quite some time. Due to maintenance negligence, this unfortunate event occurred."
Fire Department Commandant Manoj Nat confirmed that there were no reported casualties or significant property damage.
He stated, “We evacuated 10 to 12 fire safety cylinders from the area. The situation was quickly managed.”
The Patna Museum, established in 1917 during British colonial rule, is celebrated for its collection of historical artifacts discovered in and around Patna.
Commonly referred to as ‘Jaadu Ghar’, it showcases a blend of Mughal-Rajput architectural styles, featuring domes at each corner, a captivating ‘chhatri’ at the center, and intricately designed Jharokha-style windows.
Artifacts dating from ancient India up to 1764 are preserved in the Bihar Museum, while items from after 1764 are featured in the Patna Museum.
Despite the incident causing temporary alarm, officials have assured that there was no major damage to the museum's valuable historical artifacts.
