Prakash Karat has a close shave as cylinder bursts

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CPM general secretary Prakash Karat and several other senior party leaders on Thursday had a narrow escape as an LPG cylinder burst into flames within five meters of the venue where a party meeting was in progress.

Within minutes, party workers rushed into the kitchen where the cylinder had exploded and pulled it out while it was still in flames.

The party workers doused the flames, before the fire tenders could reach the spot, sources said.

Besides Karat and Hannan Maula, more than 200 hundred party leaders and workers were attending the meet being held at the party's state office here. However, there was no injury to anyone, fire officials said.