A 16-year-old labourer was killed while another was critically injured in an explosion that took place when they were trying to fill gas into balloons on Sunday.
Fire brigade officials said the incident took place around 2.30 am on Sunday on the premises of Jain College near Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC),where the preparations for a marathon were under way.
The deceased has been identified as Bhagwan Chavan,a resident of Pulachi Wadi,and the injured boy as Chhotu Kale (16).
Fire station officer Rajesh Jagtap said,The gas was being filled into the balloons for a marathon to be held in the morning. These cylinders had two chemicals,which upon reaction release a gas that is used to inflate balloons. The two child labourers were using two different cylinders. One of them exploded. Chavan died on the spot while Kale was rushed to Sassoon General Hospital. He has suffered 35 per cent burns.
Police have registered a case of accidental death,said Sunita Salunke,assistant inspector with Deccan Gymkhana police station,who is probing the case.