Overview
- Gas escaped late Feb. 26 in Raoji Bazar when a scrap dealer cut open a cylinder, causing breathing difficulties for nearby residents.
- Firefighters cooled the cylinder with continuous water spray, submerged it in a drum under water and tarpaulin, and reported the situation under control.
- Police arrested scrap dealer Shehzad and registered a case under BNS Sections 118(1) and 119(1) alleging intentional harm, with inquiries tracing the cylinder to a seller identified as Raja.
- Official tallies differ on those affected, with five hospitalised in police and PTI accounts and up to eleven reported elsewhere; named victims include Parveen, Falak, and Fareeda, who were reported stable or discharged.
- Industrial Health and Safety was notified to confirm the gas, though fire officials identified it as ammonia, and the episode has revived concerns after a similar city leak in 2025.