CHENNAI: Seven people sustained severe burns after two LPG cylinders exploded during a house fire in Thathanur village near Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram on Monday night.
The explosion occurred at a two-storey house. The police said Murugan lived with his wife Nandini, their children and Nandini's mother on the ground floor, while construction works were under way on the first floor.
Electrical and plumbing works were still in progress.
According to the police, a fire broke out on the first floor on Monday night and spread to the ground floor. The family rushed out through the rear entrance on noticing the blaze.
Meanwhile, neighbours rushed to the spot and attempted to extinguish the fire using water buckets and cans. They also alerted the police and the fire and rescue team.
However, during the efforts to douse the fire, two LPG cylinders kept in the kitchen exploded, injuring seven neighbours who had come to help. The injured were identified as Purushothaman, Simon Vignesh, Sarath, Selvaraj, Thilagar, Chiranjeevi and another resident.
They were admitted to the Sriperumbudur Government Hospital and a private hospital in Thandalam for treatment. Police sources said two persons, including Chiranjeevi, suffered more than 60 per cent burn injuries. A fire and rescue team from Oragadam rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.
The Oragadam police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Preliminary inquiries revealed that workers may have discarded cigarette butts without properly extinguishing them, causing nearby construction debris to catch fire. Further investigation is in progress.