A gas leak triggered a powerful explosion at a residential house in the Kasi Qilla area of Quetta, leaving a woman and two children among four people injured, police said on Sunday.
According to police officials, the blast occurred inside a home due to a gas leak, causing severe burn injuries to the occupants. The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that a woman and two young children are among those wounded.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was caused by accumulated gas inside the house. However, further inquiries are underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
Such accidents tend to increase across Balochistan with the onset of winter, particularly in Quetta and other colder regions. Every year, numerous incidents linked to gas leaks and heating appliances are reported, resulting in loss of life and burn injuries to dozens of people.
Experts attribute the rise in such incidents to increased use of gas heaters, stoves and other heating devices during winter, coupled with low gas pressure. As a result, residents are often forced to rely on unsafe alternatives, including substandard heaters and gas cylinders. Ageing gas pipelines, faulty connections and lack of regular maintenance further heighten the risk of gas leakage.
Police and rescue officials noted that most such incidents occur at night, when closed rooms allow gas to accumulate to dangerous levels.
Social circles and safety advocates have also pointed to a lack of public awareness as a major contributing factor. Many households do not install gas leak detectors, nor do they regularly inspect or repair gas appliances. The absence of effective safety measures and public awareness campaigns by relevant authorities has further exacerbated the situation.