Mohali: Panic gripped Khedi village along the Pandwala Sundran Khedi road in Derabassi on Wednesday evening after an underground PNG gas pipeline burst and caught fire following accidental damage during excavation work.The incident occurred when an earthmover allegedly breached the underground gas pipeline while excavation was being carried out in the area. Gas escaping under high pressure caught fire, sending tall flames into the air and creating a large cloud of dust. The force of the escaping gas also created a deep cavity in the ground near the roadside.The sudden fire caused panic among residents and commuters in the area. Police teams from Dera Bassi and Mubarikpur rushed to the spot along with technical personnel of the gas company.The main valve was shut to stop the gas supply, following which the fire was brought under control. Repair work on the damaged pipeline was subsequently started.No injury or loss of life was reported in the incident and no major damage to nearby property was reported.Police are looking into the circumstances under which excavation was being carried out near the underground pipeline.
