Shimla Eatery Blast: Forensic Report Reveals LPG Gas Leak Is Reason Behind Explosion

The forensic report on the Shimla eatery blast case has found that the explosion took place due to an LPG gas leak.

The forensic report into the blast at an eatery in Shimla has revealed that the LPG leak is the reason behind the explosion that killed one man and injured 13 others on July 18, reported PTI. The blast took place at Himachali Rasoi restaurant which is located in Middle Bazaar adjacent to the fire brigade office. It was so intense that it shattered windowpanes of several shops in the vicinity. According to the agency, the forensic report has now put to rest the speculations of sabotage as no remains of explosive material were found. Earlier it was thought that it was the act of some nefarious elements. 

Experts of the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Junga, SP Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told PTI on Sunday that an examination of evidence collected from the site and nearby places concluded that an LPG leak led to the blast. 

"Neither any fragments of exploding devices like detonator or timer devices were found at the blast site nor any evidence of high temperature as generally found in the blast, triggered with the help of detonator or explosive materials surfaced," the report said, as quoted by PTI. 

SP Gandhi said that police had recovered two commercial cylinders from the spot, and they were found to be leaking and one of them had minimal gas left. 

He added that LPG mixes up with air or vapours which becomes deadly and causes aerosol blasts. Gandhi said that the eatery was in possession of the owner and his workers for over 36 hours before the blast as maintenance work was under progress. The CCTV footage showed that no third person had any access to the premises of the 'Himachal Rasoi', the police official said. 

The SP further said, as per PTI, a Special Investigation Team constituted to probe the blast will also conduct investigation in consonance with the opinion of forensic experts and fix the responsibility of those who were negligent. 

The preliminary probe so far has revealed that a gas leak in the chamber of the restaurant led to the blast, and so was claimed by those who survived the blast. 

Police have filed an FIR under charges of endangering life, causing hurt, and causing death by negligence under sections 336, 337, 304 A of the Indian Penal Code.