Two charred to death, 15 shops gutted in Katihar

Patna: At least two persons were charred to death while three others were injured in a cooking gas cylinder explosion in Katihar on Wednesday.
The cylinder exploded in a restaurant located near Sanhauli railway station under Kadwa police station of the district. The two deceased have been identified as Raj Laxmi Chakrabarti (4) and Laxmi Devi (38).
Kawda police station SHO Anoj Kumar said at least 15 shops including the restaurant was gutted.
He said the fire started after a cooking gas cylinder kept inside the restaurant exploded which later spread to nearby shops. He said investigation is on and one fire tender was rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
"Local people and police controlled the flames," the SHO said adding, "The restaurant building which was badly damaged also collapsed. "
He said a large number of people were present in the locality when the fire broke out as it was a market area.