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Blame it on massive accumulation of methane gas, or if you take into account some of the experts, the lightnings that occurred for the last two days for the mysterious explosion with big boom at a flat on Akhaura road.
Even after 24 hours of the blast that fully damaged the building and seriously injured a couple, the entire city remained abuzz with speculations and wild conjectures– even to the level of it being a handiwork of Djinn.
But on Friday after the Forensic experts visited the spot and collected samples, it came to light that in all probability the explosion occurred due to huge accumulation of highly combustible methane gas in the sewage which someway leaked into the room through the adjoining bathroom. Some experts also pointed out when too much of lightning occured during the monsoon the accumulation of methane in the sewage also would increase and become intense.
And methane which is formed naturally in the septic sludge can very well get back into the room through pipes, drains or otherwise if the tank fails. . It is a dangerous gas.
Methane forms explosive mixtures with air and the loudest explosions occur when one volume of methane is mixed with two volumes of oxygen.
Considered as one of the most harmful gases that is often released back into the home when a septic tank fails, methane apart from being a powerful combustible gas, also can displace oxygen in the air, thus lowering the oxygen content within the home putting the family at risk of suffering from asphyxiation.
In the case of residence of Dr. Biswajit Sutradhar (anesthetist) and his wife Rupa Sutradhar, there were added threats. They had oxygen cylinder at home since the time of Covid.
Experts pointed out that while the Forensic team visited they found no carbon trace or the damages that would have occurred if there were any bomb like blasts, any electric gadgets going awfully wrong. The AC and inverter were also not affected.
“The way the walls were thrown apart and room was damaged , it appears that some sort of gas explosion took place. When methane mixes with oxygen and there is any spark of fire it will immediate explode –which means it will immediately suck in all the oxygen in the room. And as a natural tendency it will seek holes or cracks or anything that would give any trace of oxygen flowing and rush towards it. There would be extreme pressure towards these cracks, holes or windows or doors or ventilators. The massive push then would tear apart whatever comes in front and throw it away with all force”, said an expert.
Since the push was from the inside that is why all the glasses from the windows were found thrown outside the room on road and other places, not inside the room”.
“I feel same thing happened in that flat also—it was methane explosion”, he added.
Some other experts also pointed out that in the sewage Hydrogen sulfide which is also highly combustible and carries a bad odour could have been the cause.
Some of the policemen who entered the room said that bathroom was reeking with extremely bad odor which could come only from the sewage.
SP West Dr Kiran Kumar also quoting Forensic experts said that the explosion was apparently from methane accumulation that came in contact with oxygen in the room and there was some sort of fire spark.
In the meantime while Dr Sturadhar is relative in better condition his wife Rupa Sutradhar’s condition was reported to be critical.
