A suspected LPG cylinder leak triggered an explosion in a cafe in Jodhpur Park, critically injuring an employee, on Wednesday morning.

Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the LPG cylinders in the kitchen, on the ground floor of the three-storey building, leaked for several hours on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and the gas got trapped inside the shuttered cafe.

Chandra Kumar Gurung, 26, who is originally from Sikkim, was the only staff member inside the cafe when it was rocked by the blast around 11.35am.

“He (Gurung) suffered critical burn injuries on the front of his body,” said an officer in the south-east division of Kolkata Police. Gurung slept inside the cafe at night, cops said.

The explosion happened moments after Gurung lit a match, possibly to light a cigarette, the police said.

A senior Kolkata Police officer said: “One should never light a match if LPG leakage is suspected in the area. An LPG cylinder leak can be detected through smell.”

The cafe’s iron shutters were ripped apart under the impact of the explosion and it landed a few metres away. There was no one in the proximity except Gurung, who suffered critical injuries.

The explosion in a peaceful Jodhpur Park neighbourhood left many scared and insecure.

“There was a loud explosion. When I reached the window from where the cafe is visible, I could see the iron shutters lying on the road. I heard that an employee was seriously injured,” said a homemaker who lives nearby.

Gurung was first taken to the local EEDF Hospital and then shifted to MR Bangur Hospital.

A forensic team is likely to visit the spot after the gutted area cools to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Another resident of the neighbourhood said it was sheer luck that the cafe
did not have guests at that time or anyone standing nearby.

“I cross that stretch every day. Luckily, the damage was limited. I hope the staff member who was injured would recover soon,” said an IT professional who lives a stone’s throw away.

No police complaint was lodged till late on Wednesday evening.

“If we receive a complaint, a case will be started. Till now there is no complaint,” said an officer at Lake police station.

Fire department officials said they are waiting for forensic officials to examine the spot, collect samples and submit their report on the cause of the fire.