KALKA, August 5 — A powerful blast triggered by a leaking LPG cylinder rocked a closed fast-food shop in Kalka’s Housing Board area on Monday morning, narrowly sparing nearby shopkeepers and residents from harm.
The explosion, which occurred around 9:30 am at “Awesim’s”—a shop owned by Vishwas Mangla—ripped through its shutter, destroyed a wall, and caused the collapse of the iron-shed roof, sending panic through the neighbourhood.
Police said the damaged wall fell onto two cars parked inside an adjacent house, significantly damaging both vehicles. A motorcycle in the same house was also buried under the debris.
“Thankfully, the shop was closed at the time, and no one was inside or nearby. There were no injuries reported,” a police official said.
Upon receiving information, police rushed to the site and launched an investigation. During inspection, two LPG cylinders, a refrigerator compressor, and an inverter battery were found intact. Investigators suspect the blast was caused by a leak in one of the LPG cylinders.
Further examination of the scene and forensic analysis is underway to confirm the exact cause.
