Ludhiana, March 4 -- A factory worker sustained critical burn injuries after a cooking gas leak triggered an explosion at his residence in Gian Chand Nagar on Monday night.

The incident took place in Lane No. 8 of Lohara when Gopal Mehto had just returned from work and started preparing dinner. According to neighbours, the mishap occurred the moment he attempted to light the stove. A sudden blast rocked the small kitchen, followed by flames that quickly spread across the room.

Preliminary information suggests that gas had leaked from a damaged pipe attached to the cylinder and accumulated inside the kitchen. As soon as the flame came in contact with the leaked gas, it resulted in an explosion and intense fire. Mehto, who was alone at ho...