Three killed as house explodes after LPG leak

UDAIPUR: Three persons including a pregnant woman and her 10-year-old son died after an explosion in their house, suspected to be due to LPG leak, on Saturday night at Surkhand ka Kheda village in Sarada panchayat samiti of the district. The mother-son duo died on the spot while the woman's father succumbed to his injuries at MB hospital in Udaipur on Sunday.The roof, walls and windows were blown off in the explosion, reducing the house to rubbles.
According to neighbours, six persons were inside the house at Kanawat Mohalla, owned by one Pemalal Patel. Patel, his wife Nathibai, daughter Kalawati, grandson Sahil and two daughters-in-law, Ranju and Moti, were fast asleep in their rooms when a huge explosion took place around 1 am past midnight. The roof of the house was blown off and the walls collapsed. Their neighbours ran out hearing the huge sound and were shocked to see the debris at Patel's house.
The police and fire engines immediately rushed to the spot and started rescue operation which was hampered due to rain and electricity cutoff. The explosion had caused an electricity cutoff and hence the team had to struggle hard to pull out the family members from the debris. Torches were used to locate the victims in the darkness. Patel's pregnant daughter Kalawati and her 10-year-old son Sahil were found dead while the four injured were rushed to the community health centre. Later Patel was referred to Udaipur hospital but he died during treatment on Sunday morning. A forensic team along with the police continued with their investigation.
Patel's sons Naveen and Lokesh work in Ahmedabad and were informed of the mishap.