New Delhi: Two of the three minor siblings, Abbas and Sakib, injured in a CNG cylinder explosion at a godown in northeast Delhi’s Sunder Nagri on Saturday succumbed to their injuries during the treatment, police said on Sunday.The explosion occurred on the ground floor of a residential building, where an unauthorised gas cylinder storage unit was being run. According to police, the three brothers, aged between 3 and 7 years, lived with their family in Nand Nagri. The two elder children, aged 4 and 7 years, sustained burns covering 90% and 85% of their bodies and died during treatment. Their three-year-old brother, Raja, with similar injuries, is in a critical condition. A worker, identified as Arshad, present at the time, too sustained 70% burns.Preliminary investigations confirmed that storing LPG cylinders in a residential area violates safety regulations. “Operating such a facility is illegal. We are compiling a detailed report to submit to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) for further action,” said a senior police officer, adding, a case has been registered against the owners of the building and godown. No arrests have been made so far and the search is on for the suspects, he said. The children’s father, who worked as a tailor, resided with the family in Nand Nagri. The incident has sparked outrage in the neighbourhood, with locals demanding strict action against those responsible.A case has been registered under sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 125A (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 326(G) (mischief by fire or explosive substances) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Police received the first call about the blast at 4.33 pm on Saturday, after which two fire tenders and 12 firefighters were dispatched to the location. The explosion occurred at a godown on street number 6. During a repair operation, a CNG cylinder reportedly blew up, the force of which shattered the iron gate. The children, who were playing nearby, were caught in the blast and severely injured.“We are examining whether any gas remained in the cylinder. It’s possible a grinder used during repairs caused a spark that triggered the fire,” a police official stated.
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