A suspected LPG leak in a home in Delhi’s Najafgarh has killed four members of one family over 12 days, while two children who were injured in the blast are now being cared for by relatives, police said.
The explosion occurred on the night of September 22 in Ranaji Enclave. Six people, including the children, suffered burn injuries and were first taken to Indira Gandhi International Hospital before being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, according to police. The four adults later died from their injuries.
Ramji Lal’s daughter, Monika, 29, died on September 28. His son, Keshav, 25, died on October 1, followed by Keshav’s wife, Sonam, 24, on October 3. Lal’s wife, Kamlesh, 50, died the next day.
Keshav and Sonam’s three-month-old son, Yuvansh, is now living with Lal, police said. Monika’s four-year-old daughter, Diya, also sustained injuries but survived. Monika had been visiting her parents with Diya when the explosion took place. Her husband, Rahul, and other family members live in Badshahpur, Gurgaon.
Police said a domestic gas cylinder may have leaked inside a room, allowing LPG to accumulate and form a combustible gas-air mixture. The mixture may then have ignited after coming into contact with a possible ignition source. A senior police officer said the exact cause had not yet been established.
The room was completely shut, with no opening on any side, and this may have influenced the spread and intensity of the flames, police said. The blast occurred on the ground floor, while damage was also visible on the first floor, where a gate was affected. Those who suffered serious injuries had burns over approximately 60% of their bodies, according to the officer.
The incident has triggered a criminal investigation under Sections 287 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Najafgarh police station. The provisions concern negligent conduct involving fire or combustible matter and causing death by negligence.
The case follows another LPG-related incident in Delhi in February, when a firefighter died and at least 13 people, including fire and police personnel, were injured after a cylinder exploded during a building fire in Majlis Park. In the Najafgarh case, police said the inquiry would establish how the suspected leak occurred, what ignition source may have been involved and how the enclosed room affected the blast.
