Cylinder blast sparks major fire in Guwahati’s Gandhi Basti; property reduced to ashes

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 12, 2025

Panic gripped residents of Anu Baruah Road in Gandhi Basti on Thursday after a powerful LPG cylinder blast triggered a massive fire that gutted an entire Assam-type structure, a two-wheeler, a cycle rickshaw, and household belongings. The blaze left the area covered in smoke and debris as emergency responders battled to contain the flames.

Eyewitness Shoaib Ali, a resident, claimed that up to seven gas cylinders exploded in quick succession, rapidly escalating the fire and making it nearly impossible for bystanders to intervene.

“It was terrifying. The house was completely engulfed, and within minutes, everything was reduced to ashes,” Shoaib said. He also alleged a delay in the arrival of fire tenders, suggesting that a quicker response might have minimized the damage.

However, an official from the Fire and Emergency Services disputed this account, stating that firefighters responded promptly after receiving the emergency call.

“Our team reached the spot without delay and brought the situation under control,” the official said.

Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. The immediate cause of the fire is still unknown, though authorities suspect it may have started from a gas leak that led to the initial explosion. A formal investigation is expected to be launched to ascertain the exact circumstances.

The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety in densely populated areas, especially where multiple cylinders are stored in residential buildings without proper precautions. There is no initiative from the local authorities to conduct safety checks and awareness drives in the city.