Ex-principal dies from burns

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 20

Two days after a cylinder blast at a house in Sector 10, Hem Raj Sharma (70) succumbed to his burn injuries at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, today. Seven persons had sustained serious burns in the incident on the Diwali eve.

Sharma, a retired principal of Government School in Zirakpur, was a resident of house number 704 in Sector 10. The front portion of the single-storey house in their neighbourhood had collapsed due to the cylinder blast. According to Dr Sonali of the GMCH-32, the deceased had sustained 95 per cent burns. He was brought to the hospital in a critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries this afternoon.

Sources said the condition of another injured, identified as Raj Chander (75) who suffered 50 per cent burns, was also critical. He was reportedly shifted to the PGI this evening.

Meanwhile, the Panchkula police have sent samples collected from the house to a lab in Madhuban, Haryana. 

The SHO of Sector 5 police station, Karambir Singh, said they were conducting the investigation. The house number 702 where the blast occurred belonged to Ajit Chaudhary, who also sustained injuries. He had gone to market with his wife and children when he was informed about leakage of gas at his house.  The bslast took place when he opened the door of the house. 

Dayawanti, one of the neighbours, had also sustained burn injuries and is getting treatment at home. Raj Kumar Singla, a resident of house number 707, has been shifted to a hospital in Mohali.