Gas leak triggers explosion, elderly couple suffer serious burns in Thrissur

A gas leakage from the stove triggered a powerful explosion, gutting a house and leaving an elderly couple with serious burns at Vellangallur Junction, on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple, Ravindran, 70, and his wife Jayashree, 60, had reportedly gone out for a function in the morning. Upon their return in the afternoon, as they opened the door and switched on the light, a sudden explosion occurred, and flames engulfed Jayashree. Ravindran also suffered burns while trying to rescue her. Both were rushed by locals to a private hospital in Thrissur, where they remain in critical condition.

The fire is believed to have started due to a gas leak from the tube connecting the LPG cylinder (kept outside the house) to the kitchen stove, causing gas to accumulate inside the house. The explosion likely occurred when the electrical switch triggered a spark.

The house was completely destroyed in the blaze. Fire and rescue services from Irinjalakuda, along with the police and local residents, arrived quickly and brought the fire under control.