Excelsior Correspondent
LATTI (Udhampur), Jan 24: Property worth over 50 lakhs was destroyed as five houses caught major fire after LPG cylinder exploded in one of the houses, at Khalot hamlet of Chappar-B Panchayat, near Jakhed in Tehsil Latti of district Udhampur this evening.
Reports said that mishap took place at around 5.15 pm when cooking on LPG cylinder was going on, in the house of one Kasturi Lal. Suddenly, the LPG cylinder exploded and the kitchen caught fire. Immediately, the Kucha house started burning with big flames. Since maximum wood is generally used in the Kucha houses of this belt, four adjoining houses of Bittu Ram, Shounku Devi, Ramesh Kumar and Baldev Raj also caught fire and turned into ashes in no time. One of the youth of the area Rajinder Kumar, son of Chuni Lal, resident of Begad (Jakhed) turned unconscious with the impact of smoke and other gasses while doing rescue work and was rushed to PHC Latti, but he was declared dead there.
The locals expressed strong resentment as there is no MBBS doctor in this only big hospital in Latti-Dudu Sub Division. They alleged that due to handling of the patient by inexperienced staff, the youth died. His respiratory system was little working when he was brought to the hospital. They strongly demanded appointment of sanctioned strength of MBBS doctors at Latti hospital.
SHO, Latti Pawan Dogra who visited the site along with Naib Tehsildar said that five houses have completely destroyed. The family members were safe and they have been accommodated in the houses of other villagers. They will also provide them food etc. Meanwhile, those who have become shelterless with this unfortunate incident were expecting assistance from the Government, which has yet to respond.
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