LAHORE: A powerful boiler blast at a beverage unit killed two people and razed its building here on Thursday on Multan Road.

The massive blast created cracks in many nearby buildings, houses and offices besides shattering their windowpanes.

The video clips of the incident showed a huge fireball into the sky, terrifying the locals who initially thought it a terror attack.

It had also alarmed the law-enforcement agencies as they were busy maintaining law and order following the protest of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan on Multan Road.

The witnesses said the explosion was heard around 10-km away from Multan Road.

They said hundreds of residents rushed out of the buildings.

Dozens of fire tenders were dispatched to the spot.

A spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 said the incident occurred at the Benz Factory located at Awan Town on Multan Road.

He said two people suffered critical injuries – one of them died instantly while the other was shifted to hospital with 50 per cent burns.

The deceased has been identified as Yaseen (33) while Shabbir Hussain got multiple injuries and burns when he jumped out of the building to save his life.

There were some reports that the injured has also breathed his last during treatment.

Rescue 1122 controlled the blaze after hectic efforts of two hours or so.

The factory has been handed over to the police for further investigation, the spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2021