Pune, 6th June 2026: A tragic cylinder explosion claimed the lives of three members of a family in Khandvenagar near Viman Nagar on Friday morning. The deceased have been identified as Pandurang Vishnu Gitte (35), his mother Vrundavini Vishnu Gitte (60), and his father Vishnu Munjaji Gitte (82).
According to police, the accident occurred at around 9:15 am in a flat on the first floor of a building in Fortune City. The family was replacing an empty LPG cylinder when gas allegedly began leaking from the nozzle. A lamp was lit in the home's prayer area, and the leaked gas quickly ignited, causing a powerful explosion and fire.
Pandurang, along with his elderly parents, suffered severe burn injuries in the blast. Local residents immediately alerted the police and fire brigade. Fire tenders from Kharadi, Dhanori and Yerawada rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
The injured were shifted to Sassoon General Hospital. However, Pandurang died before treatment could begin, while his parents later succumbed to their injuries during treatment.
The fire caused extensive damage to the apartment, destroying furniture, electrical wiring, a television set, kitchen appliances and other household items.
In a stroke of luck, Pandurang's wife Rajshri and their five-year-old daughter Niharika survived the incident. Rajshri was inside the bathroom when the explosion occurred.
Niharika was standing in the balcony and suffered minor burns. Residents quickly guided her to jump from the balcony and safely caught her below, saving her life.
The Gitte family originally hailed from Nandgavhalgaon in Beed district and had settled in Pune for work. The sudden loss of three family members has left relatives, friends and residents of Khandvenagar in deep shock and mourning.
