Gujarat : CNG Car Explodes During Refuelling at Karjan Pump

KARJAN : A sudden CNG tank explosion at a petrol and CNG pump near Karjan on National Highway 48 triggered panic and chaos on Friday, after a car blew apart while it was being refuelled. The powerful blast sent metal and glass fragments flying across the premises, damaging two vehicles parked nearby.

The incident occurred at a fuel station located opposite the Jindal company when the motorist had stopped to refill the car with CNG. According to preliminary information, the attendant had attached the nozzle and was filling gas when the vehicle’s CNG tank suddenly exploded with a massive blast.

Two people were reportedly standing outside the vehicle at the time of refuelling. The fact that nobody was inside the car helped avert a potentially serious tragedy.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion was so intense that it created a stampede-like situation at the pump, with staff and customers rushing to safety. People from nearby areas also gathered at the spot after hearing the loud blast.

“The explosion happened suddenly while CNG was being filled. There was a loud blast and people immediately ran away from the vehicle,” an eyewitness said.

The rear portion of the car was completely mangled in the explosion, with the damaged vehicle left in a severely wrecked condition. Debris from the vehicle also struck two other cars parked nearby.

CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced and is expected to help investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be established. A possible technical fault or excessive pressure in the CNG system is being examined, but officials have not confirmed the cause.

Following the incident, the Karjan fire brigade reached the spot and took precautionary measures to prevent any secondary fire or sparks. Police officials also arrived and brought the situation under control.

Authorities have initiated a review of the safety arrangements and CNG refuelling procedures at the pump. Further investigation is underway.