Gas cylinders blast tore through a four-storey building in Allama Iqbal Town here early Tuesday, killing 28 people, including two children and four women while injuring several others. Rescuers were searching for people caught under the rubble of the collapsed building, located in residential suburb of the city, police said. The building was housing an ice cream factory, gas cylinder storage in basement and residences on three floors.

A gas cylinder caught fire and the blaze spread to other canisters stored in the basement resulting in a huge explosion that destroyed the building. The blast was so powerful that it also broke windowpanes of nearby houses. "Seven to eight labourers sleep in gas cylinder storage, while 15 to 20 people reside in upper stories," local people said.

As many as 28 bodies and several injured were recovered from the debris. Seven members of a family were among deceased. Several wounded were admitted in local hospitals.

According to details, a gas cylinder exploded in the basement of the four-storey apartment building near Sabzi Mandi in the area of Mehran Block, Allama Iqbal Town resulting in the death of 25 persons and injuries to 20 others.

Among the deceased persons, 22 have been identified as Allah Ditta, Ayub, Javed Ahmed, Amin, Iqbal Fakir Hussain, Imran, Fateh Muhammad, Iqbal, Ashfaq, Ashiq, Kulsoom Bibi, Munawar Bibi, Shahzadi Bibi, Fazl, Zulqarnain, Jamil Jutt, Muhammad Yaqub, Syed Ijaz, Sabra Bibi and a minor kid.

District Nazim Mian Amir Mehmud along with provincial ministers Aleem Khan, Mian Aslam Iqbal and police officials reached the spot. Rescue 1122, fire brigade, and other staff helped in digging out bodies from the debris.

Police helped in relief activities and took out bodies from the debris while the district nazim announced compensation of Rs 0.1 million each for the heir of every deceased, while Rs 50,000 each for the injured person. According to police sources, there were more than 35 people residing in the building.

Eyewitnesses present at the tragic incident were of the view that a number of people were sleeping in basement of the building.

Further, they added more than 8 persons of one family of Malik Ashiq died. The family included his son Shahid, Munawar Bibi, Kulsoom Bibi, Fazl Hussain, Shahroor, Shamim and Muhammad Amin.

A wave of shock and fright was felt in Iqbal Town, Sabzi Mandi area after the cylinder explosion.

The Punjab government announced compensation of Rs100,000 for the dead and Rs50,000 for the injured.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005