As lP gas leaked in the house of one Basanti Rout of Berhampura village under Banki block in Cuttack district on Saturday evening, she informed at the Bharat Gas agent of Banki who sent Papu Behera, one of their technicians, to repair it.
When the technician Papu lighted the matchstick for testing, the entire leaked gas outside the tank caught fire, leaving at least seven persons injured.
All the injured were rushed to the Banki SDH, but as the condition of six namely Basanti Rout (45), Mantu Rout (17), Bidyadhar Rout (55), Pintu Rout (12), Ganeswar Rout (57) and Papu Behera (27) deteriorated, they were referred to the SCB MCH in Cuttack. As per the latest information, their conditions were stable.
Officials from the Khurdha Regional Office of Bharat Gas are likely to visit the tragedy spot on Monday, sources said.
No case was yet registered at the Banki police station in this regard even though the police were informed about the incident, said Banki PS IIC Biswaranjan Sahoo.