Wed Oct 08 19:06:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a news article rewrite, focusing on the core incident:
**Summary:**
The Hindu newspaper reported on October 9, 2025, that two elderly women, Kashiammal and Lalitha, were critically injured in a cooking gas explosion near Ponneri, Chennai. The women suffered severe burns after Kashiammal lit a match to investigate a gas leak in her home. Neighbors rescued them and transported them to a hospital. Police are investigating the incident.
**News Article:**
**Elderly Women Critically Injured in Gas Explosion Near Chennai**
**Chennai, India – October 9, 2025** – Two elderly women are in critical condition after suffering severe burns in a cooking gas explosion near Ponneri, north of Chennai, on Wednesday. The incident occurred when Kashiammal, 67, a fisherwoman, detected a foul odor in her home and, accompanied by her neighbor Lalitha, 70, went to investigate.
According to preliminary reports, Kashiammal lit a match inside the darkened house, triggering an explosion believed to have been caused by a gas leak. Both women sustained approximately 80% burns from the resulting fire.
“We heard their screams and rushed to help,” said a neighbor who declined to be named. “The fire was intense. We managed to get them out and to the hospital as quickly as possible.”
The women were initially treated at Ponneri Government Hospital before being transferred to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for specialized burn care. Their condition is listed as serious.
The Kattur police have opened an investigation into the cause of the gas leak. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspected gas leaks to prevent similar incidents.
First Piper 