At least four people, including a three-year-old boy, died after a domestic LPG cylinder exploded inside a house in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district on Monday evening, triggering the collapse of the two-storey building. Three others were injured in the incident.

The blast took place at around 5 pm while food was being prepared at the residence of Suresh Gupta alias Chunnar, a fruit and vegetable vendor, in Malwan town, Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Manglik said.

The force of the explosion brought down the house, leaving people trapped beneath the debris. Nearby houses were also affected by the impact of the blast, according to the police.

Rescue teams comprising police and fire brigade personnel, assisted by local residents, pulled seven people from the rubble and rushed them to hospital.

Four of those rescued later died while undergoing treatment. The victims were all male and included a three-year-old child, an 18-year-old and two teenagers. Police said their identities have not yet been established.

Of the three injured, two are reported to be out of danger. The condition of the third remains critical after he suffered burns over around 90 per cent of his body.

Police and fire officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the LPG cylinder explosion.

With PTI inputs