Balasore: A worker was killed in an explosion when an old underground fuel tank was being cut with a gas cutter at a filling station in Baligohiri under Nilagiri police station limits in Balasore district on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Birendra Singh alias Hua (58) of Bimuria village under Remuna block.Sources said a new fuel tank was installed at the petrol pump and work was underway to cut the old tank. The tank exploded during the operation, sending its lid flying and striking Birendra. He sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot. The incident triggered tension, with locals accusing those responsible for negligence and demanding justice. Some people allegedly vandalised the premises and sought accountability for the worker’s death.Birendra’s family members staged a protest by placing his body on the Nilagiri-Sergarh road, demanding compensation and justice. Police personnel attempted to pacify the protesters and bring the situation under control. Birendra’s brother Jogendra Singh alleged negligence by the company and petrol pump authorities led to the tragedy. “Before cutting a fuel tank with a gas cutter, the authorities should have taken the necessary precautions. Even if a tank is empty, residual gas or other combustible substances may remain inside, creating a risk of an explosion. No adequate safety measures were taken to prevent such an accident,” he alleged. He said authorities should have called the fire services and adopted other precautionary measures before starting work.IIC, Nilagiri police station, Gobardhan Nayak reached the spot with a police team. Police took petrol pump owner Diptikanta Mohapatra, manager Kamal Lochan Nayak and two workers engaged in the gas-cutting operation to the police station for questioning. Nayak said the road blockade was withdrawn following discussions with the agitators. A probe is on to determine whether any safety lapses contributed to the worker’s death.