Bengaluru, 15 Aug

A 10-year-old boy died and 12 persons were injured in a cylinder blast here on Friday, police said.

The incident happened at Chinnayanpalya of Wilson Garden, Central Bengaluru, a tightly packed predominantly residential neighbourhood where houses are close to each other.

Adugodi Police said the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital, while “rescue work is still going on”.

According to Fire Department sources, the cylinder blast resulted in the collapse of 8-10 houses. A cylinder leak is suspected to have caused the explosion.

Speaking to reporters, City Police Commissioner, Seemanth Kumar Singh said the house in which the blast occurred was being rented by a three-member family. "The man works as a labourer and had left for work early in the morning as usual. The mother and the child at home were injured. But the boy who died was in a neighbouring house," said Kumar.

He said the police control room received the call around 8.30am. "We immediately informed the Bomb Disposal Squad, Anti-Terrorism Squad, State Disaster Response Force, Fire Brigade as well as the local police," Singh added. 

According to him, three to four houses were fully damaged and about six to seven were partially damaged. Glass windows and doors of some houses in the area also suffered damage, he added. "We are clearing the houses that are damaged, investigation is on. It's too early to say what exactly caused the blast," said Kumar.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also visited the spot of the blast at Wilson Garden. and announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the boy ho died due to the suspected cylinder blast. "A compensation of ₹5 lakh has been announced for Mubarak's family. The cost of treatment for the injured will be borne by the government," CM Siddaramaiah said.

The CM also announced that the injured are being treated right now, with the cost being borne by the government. Similarly, instructions have been given to rebuild the damaged houses.