Ghaziabad: At least five people were injured after a transformer exploded near a cinema hall in Khoda’s Azad Vihar on Friday afternoon.According to eyewitnesses, the transformer electricity metering unit installed by the power department near Kavita Palace Cinema Hall exploded around 12.30pm. The transformer, which uses oil as a coolant, burst into flames, spilling hot oil on the road. The spillage caused burn injuries to five people who were in the vicinity. They were treated at hospitals.Kamlesh Kumar Chaudhary, Pankaj, Arun, Atul Mathur and one more person were injured in the accident.A video of the incident that surfaced on social media shows Chaudhury rushing out of a lane screaming. His head seemed to be on fire. He said he was buying biryani near the cinema hall when the explosion occurred. “There was a sudden blast and the fire got to me. I kept shouting for help but no one came forward. Finally, I jumped into a nearby drain to put out the flames,” he said. He sustained serious burn injuries and is being treated at a hospital. Another injured person, Atul Mathur, who works at a nearby shop, said he was sitting outside the shop when the explosion took place. “Hot oil fell on me after the blast, causing burn injuries,” he said.Residents and passers-by took the injured people to different hospitals. Residents alleged that the metering unit was neither properly covered nor regularly maintained. They claimed that a large transformer was installed inside the cinema hall premises and the roadside mini transformer was set up to take readings and prevent power theft. However, negligence in safety measures allegedly led to the accident.A senior official of the power department said an inquiry was handed over to the executive engineer. “We will assist all the injured people,” he stated.Police said the condition of all injured persons is stable. They were informed by the electricity department and actions will be taken after a formal complaint.
