Abohar: A high-intensity explosion rocked the Patel Park area of Abohar in Fazilka district late Tuesday night, causing widespread panic and significant property damage. The blast occurred near the Vij Hall in Lane Number 6, inside a structure that serves as both a residence and a shop. The force of the explosion was so severe that it collapsed an interior wall, blew doors off their hinges, and damaged surrounding shops. Three individuals, including the mother and two sisters of the property owner, sustained severe burn injuries. One woman remains in critical condition and has been referred to a specialized facility for advanced treatment.
Following the incident, conflicting reports surfaced regarding the cause of the blast. Initial accounts from locals suggested that the building was being used to illegally store a large quantity of firecrackers and potash, or that a commercial gas cylinder had exploded. The shop owner, Deepak, reported that he and his brother were standing just outside when the blast occurred, which threw them to the ground. In the immediate aftermath, alert neighbours reportedly retrieved several gas cylinders from the smouldering premises, a move that likely prevented a much larger secondary catastrophe.
However, after a thorough inspection by forensic teams and local police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh clarified that no evidence of explosives or firecrackers was found at the site. According to the official investigation, the high-intensity blast originated near a sugarcane juicing machine. The presence of oil residue near the machine, combined with the sudden bursting of pressurized soda bottles, created a volatile reaction that simulated the impact of an explosive. While residents remain skeptical given the scale of the damage, the SSP maintained that the incident was a freak industrial accident. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, and an official report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is awaited to provide final confirmation.
