Woman, 4 kids hurt as plastic drum explodes in Pune

A drum used for storing chemicals was brought home by a woman to store water. However, it proved dangerous as it suddenly exploded while she was cutting it into two with a hot knife. She and four children were injured in the explosion. 

The injured persons have been identified as Suman Gaikwad, her three sons Vinod (7), Om (11) and Ajay (9) and a child from the neighbourhood, Sahi Chaudhari (7). All have been rushed to Surya Hospital. Bhosari police are investigating the case.

The incident took place on Sunday at 7 pm at the basement of Dnyanshri building in Bhosari.

RN Ovhal, head constable attached to Bhosari police station, said, “Suman is a resident of a rented apartment in Dnyanshri building. On Sunday, she brought home a plastic drum to store water. But the height of the drum was more than that of the tap. Therefore she tried cutting the drum with a hot knife. While she was cutting it, the drum suddenly exploded, in which she and four children playing in the same room sustained burns.”

He added, “All of them were rushed to Surya Hospital, where doctors informed them that they had sustained 20 to 30 per cent burns on their hands, head and legs. There are chances that the drum that was brought by Suman might have some chemical substances due to which it might have exploded.”