Gas cylinder explosion at Indian grocery store kills two, injures others

A fire that broke out at a grocery store in Khekra town, Bagpat district, turned catastrophic when a pressurized cooking gas cylinder ruptured in the flames, triggering a powerful explosion. The blast sent shoppers and bystanders fleeing in panic as flames engulfed the shop premises.

The incident claimed the lives of two family members of the shop's owner: his daughter-in-law and a young child. A son of the merchant and an employee of the store sustained serious injuries and required emergency medical attention following the explosion.

Video documentation of the incident, spanning approximately 11 seconds, shows the moment of the cylinder's rupture and the chaos that ensued. Such gas cylinder accidents at small retail establishments remain a recurring safety concern across India, often resulting from inadequate storage practices or maintenance failures.

Authorities have not yet released a detailed statement regarding the cause of the initial fire or whether safety protocols were followed at the establishment. The incident underscores ongoing risks in unregulated commercial spaces where cooking fuel is stored alongside other goods.