Man killed in oxygen cylinder blast at Delhi

A 35-year-old man was killed and four others injured when an industrial oxygen cylinder exploded at a storage facility in Delhi on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 10:43 a.m. In the D Block of Okhla Phase 1 as workers were unloading cylinders from a truck, according to police.

The deceased was identified as Mohit Singh, a helper who had worked for the firm operating the godown for about three years. Police said he died on the spot. The four injured men-Umesh, Arvind, Manoj, and Pankaj-were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

The Blast and Response

The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the incident at 10:47 a.m. And dispatched five fire tenders. Officials reached the site by 10:55 a.m. A DFS official stated, "At 1155 hrs, we found that it was an oxygen cylinder which exploded and one person had died. There was no major fire." Police and fire officials confirmed only one cylinder exploded. Forensic evidence has been collected to determine the exact cause.

The Company Under Scrutiny

Deputy commissioner of police Vineet Kumar said the storage unit was being used by a company named SM Traders. The firm is involved in trading and locally distributing industrial oxygen cylinders. Preliminary investigation found the cylinders had been brought to the premises from Ghaziabad.

Police said the rented godown had been operating for one to two years with three to four employees. The DCP stated, "The firm is registered under GST and is reportedly engaged in supplying industrial oxygen cylinders to local traders and industries, particularly in the Okhla area." Investigators said the firm handles between 70 and 80 cylinders daily.

Licensing and Investigation

Authorities are now examining whether the company had the necessary statutory permissions and licenses for storing, handling, and transporting oxygen cylinders. They are verifying the ownership and source of the cylinders, as well as the credentials of the Ghaziabad supplier, identified as Ram Avtar. Police confirmed no oxygen-filling plant was found at the site; cylinders were received filled from the supplier.

The owner of SM Traders has been detained. The premises have been secured as the investigation continues.