Overview
- A fire broke out in a thatched home in Chinna Ammankudi in the early hours and neighbours who rushed to douse the blaze were hit when an LPG cooking cylinder exploded, injuring at least 10 people.
- Local firefighters rescued the victims and emergency services sent three injured people to Pattukottai Government Hospital and seven critically injured patients to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital via 108 ambulances.
- Police say seven of the injured remain in intensive care at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital and hospital staff reported severe burn cases among the victims.
- Thiruvonam police have registered a case, opened an investigation into the blast, and deployed officers at the hospital because large numbers of relatives had gathered.
- The incident underscores acute safety risks for thatched homes that store LPG cylinders and could increase demand for specialist burn care in the region as authorities investigate cause and emergency response practices.