Bengaluru, 23 July (H.S.): Ten migrant workers suffered serious burn injuries after a suspected LPG cylinder explosion ripped through a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Bengaluru's Bommasandra industrial area early on Thursday, triggering panic among residents and prompting a major emergency response.

The explosion occurred around 6.30 a.m. at Jai Sai Comforts, a PG facility located under the jurisdiction of the Hebbagodi Police Station. According to the police, the workers were preparing breakfast in a second-floor room when an LPG gas leak is believed to have triggered the blast.

The impact of the explosion damaged parts of the building and sparked a fire, forcing other occupants to rush out of the premises. Fire and Emergency Services personnel reached the spot quickly, brought the fire under control, and secured the building to prevent further danger.

Police said the injured were employees of M Engineering Company and had been staying at the accommodation. Six of the victims sustained burn injuries exceeding 60 per cent and were shifted to Best Hospital in Chandapura, where they remain under intensive treatment. The condition of the remaining injured is also being closely monitored.

The injured have been identified as Debasis Halder, Debasis Malik, Subrata Bera, Habibul Rehman, Sourav Chowdhary, Santan Ray, Syed Alahuddin and Biswanath. Police said all of them are migrant workers from West Bengal. The identities of the remaining two injured workers are yet to be officially disclosed.

The PG building is owned by Nagaraj Reddy and had reportedly been leased to another individual for operation.

Hebbagodi police inspected the scene and have launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that an LPG gas leak may have caused the explosion, but officials said the exact cause would be confirmed only after a detailed forensic examination. Authorities are also examining whether safety norms relating to the use and storage of LPG cylinders at the accommodation were followed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman