A catastrophic explosion rocked Mandiala village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district late Friday night when an LPG tanker collided with a pickup truck on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar highway, sparking a massive fire. The blaze, which erupted around 10 pm, claimed two lives and injured 18 to 20 people, while engulfing nearly 15 shops and four to five residential homes in the Mandiala Adda area, authorities reported.

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain, who rushed to the scene alongside Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik, stated that a preliminary investigation points to a collision as the cause of the fire. “The fire has been largely contained, but a thorough assessment of the damage and exact cause will follow once the situation stabilizes,” Jain said. Fire tenders from Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, and nearby areas, along with ambulances, were swiftly deployed to control the flames and evacuate victims.

Civil Surgeon Pawan Kumar confirmed that two individuals were pronounced dead on arrival at Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital, with 18 to 20 others admitted. “Five to six patients with severe burn injuries have been transferred to specialized medical facilities,” he noted. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with flames spreading rapidly and residents fleeing in panic as the explosion’s shockwave rattled homes within a 5-7 km radius.

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Punjab Minister Ravjot Singh, who visited the site, called the incident “beyond tragic,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting affected families. “The blast was so powerful it caused widespread panic, with gas leaking into nearby homes and igniting fires,” Singh said. The State Disaster Response Force and local authorities continue to monitor for gas leaks, with the highway sealed off to ensure safety.

The incident has left the community in shock, with locals like Gurmukh Singh recounting how six family members suffered burns when their home was gutted. As rescue operations persist, officials are investigating the collision’s circumstances, urging residents to stay clear of the area while the extent of the devastation is assessed.

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