Gopalganj/Patna: Around 17 people reportedly suffered severe burn injuries after a gas leak triggered a fire at a house in Safiyabad village under Baikunthpur police station limits in Bihar’s Gopalganj district on Tuesday evening. Two critically injured people were referred to Gorakhpur for advanced treatment, while the others were admitted to Sadar Hospital.
The incident occurred at the house of Singhasan Manjhi while food was being prepared. According to preliminary accounts, the gas in the cylinder ran out during cooking, prompting family members to connect a fresh cylinder.
As the women removed the cap to attach the regulator, gas reportedly began leaking rapidly. A woman then entered the room carrying a lit lamp for evening prayers, and the escaping gas caught fire.
The fire spread quickly, leaving family members and neighbours with burn injuries as they tried to escape or rescue others.
Gas Leak Triggers Fire During Cylinder Change
Sandhya Devi, one of the injured, said the gas began leaking while she was trying to connect the cylinder after lighting a lamp for evening prayers.
“The gas spread throughout the house within moments. A prayer lamp was already lit in the room, causing the gas to catch fire immediately. Everyone in the house suffered severe burns,” she said.
Another family member, Pinky Kumari, said the incident occurred while the family was changing the cylinder for cooking. According to her, the leaking gas filled the house before coming into contact with the flame.
She added that people who attempted to enter the house to shut off the gas supply also suffered burns.
Neighbours Join Rescue Efforts
After smoke began rising from the house, neighbours rushed to help those trapped inside. Villagers also gathered after hearing screams and attempted to control the fire and rescue the injured.
Some neighbours sustained burn injuries during the rescue efforts, according to the accounts provided.
All the injured were taken to hospital for treatment. Two people in critical condition were referred to Gorakhpur, while the remaining victims were being treated at Gopalganj Sadar Hospital.
There was no official confirmation of the reported toll of 17 injured at the time of the initial reports.
