A routine cylinder delivery in Bengaluru turned into a frightening few seconds on Tuesday, when a sudden burst of flame erupted just as the delivery worker set the cylinder down at a doorstep in Malleshwaram. CCTV footage of the incident: The video shared on the India Today X page has gone viral. The man narrowly escaped without injuries. Preliminary information suggests leaking gas from the cylinder came into contact with an oil lamp burning at the entrance, and the video has revived questions about everyday LPG safety.
What the video shows
In the footage, the delivery worker is seen carrying the cylinder on his shoulder towards the front door. He sets it down near the entrance, and within moments flames burst out around the doorway. He steps back sharply as the fire flares, and a few reports describe the blaze as an explosion. The incident took place within the limits of the Malleshwaram police station area. The police and fire brigade reached the spot afterwards and inspected the scene.
A lamp at the threshold
The woman who lives in the house had washed the entrance and performed a puja shortly before the delivery, then lit an oil lamp on the threshold, a familiar and gentle daily ritual in many Indian homes. The delivery worker, carrying the cylinder, apparently didn’t notice the lit lamp as he placed it near the doorway. It’s a simple chain of events, with nothing careless or unusual about either person’s actions on their own.
What officials suspect
The cylinder is reported to have had a minor gas leak, and that leaked gas is suspected to have reached the flame of the lamp and ignited. These details come from preliminary information and media reports, and no formal findings have been released at the time of writing. Different outlets also describe the event slightly differently, with some calling it a fire and others an explosion, so it’s best to treat the cause as suspected for now.
Why a small flame can matter
LPG vapours are heavier than air, so a leak tends to settle low and spread along the ground, such as a doorstep or kitchen floor. A small, steady flame like a diya at ground level can then ignite it. That’s what makes this incident such a useful reminder. Gas can build up unseen, and the smell, which is deliberately added to LPG so leaks are noticeable, is often the only warning.
Here’s the video:
Safety tips for households and delivery staff
Keep lit lamps, incense and candles well away from the spot where a cylinder will be delivered or stored, especially at doorsteps and kitchens. When a cylinder arrives, check that the seal and safety cap are intact, and don’t accept one that smells of gas. If you ever smell gas, avoid lighting any flame or using switches, open doors and windows, close the regulator, move away, and call your distributor’s emergency number or the LPG helpline 1906. Call the fire brigade on 101 if there’s a fire. Delivery workers can help by pausing to look around before setting a cylinder down.
A narrow escape, and a lesson
The best part of this story is that nobody was hurt. The footage reminds all of us how quickly an ordinary moment can change, and how small habits, like moving a lamp a few feet away, can make a difference. Many people have also pointed out the need for safety training for delivery staff and for clear public awareness around LPG.
