Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, March 17: The world came crashing down for the Aggarwals at 3.20 a.m. today after a gas cylinder blast blew their East Delhi house to bits. Fortunately none of the four family members or their pet Pomeranian was injured. Central Forensic Science Laboratory experts said later that the incident occurred because of a gas cylinder that was kept too close to the refrigerator. A spark from the relay initiated the blast, they said.
The blast occurred on the fifth floor flat of businessman Naresh Aggarwal in Mavilla Apartments, Trilokpuri. He, his wife Beena and daughter Suhani were fast asleep in the master bedroom of the two-room apartment. His son Mayank was sleeping in the other room.
Mayank too was rudely woken when the door to his room nearly fell on him. He managed to escape but the door fell down to one side, completely smashing his computer and television.
The damage was irreparable. With the tremendous impact of the blast, doors and windows were blown apart, glass was shattered, lights and fans were crushed and furniture was mangled. While the roof and floor remained intact, there were gaping holes and cracks in the walls. The damage was the worst in the kitchen and living room. The Aggarwals still wonder how neither of them was injured.
Neighbours also woke up with the sound. In fact the police said that other flats in the seven-storey housing society were also affected. Windows were smashed in several apartments. The Aggarwal’s neighbour Manpreet — living in flat no. 504 — said that her door was also blown off.
While the police is investigating the incident, time has stopped in the master bedroom: The wall clock lies face up on the floor, it’s hands stuck at 3.20 a.m.
