Five persons of the same family were reduced to ashes after a cooking gas cylinder exploded in a house in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh town amid the Kati Bihu festivities.
As per initial reports, the incident took place at Niz Kodomoni area at around 1:30 am while the family was fast asleep. The massive blast led to a break out of a deadly fire gutting at least three houses.
The five deceased have been identified as Shankar Sonar, Bishal Sonar, Maya Sonar, Shibu Sonar, and Nunu respectively.
“I was out of the house due to some work and when I reached it felt I saw a nightmare. There were police, firefighters, a huge crowd surrounding my residence. Three houses were reduced to ashes including my mother, brothers, children,” said a family member.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his deepest condolences and ordered an inquiry into the incident. CM Sonowal has further announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of the people who lost their lives in the blast.
Photo: Abdul Rajjak
