AP: Explosion kills 15 in Guntur

At least 15 people were killed and 20 others injured when gelatin sticks stocked in a house blew up due to a fire triggered by a cylinder blast in a village in Andhra Pradesh's  Guntur district on Monday.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah has immediately directed top officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the blast.

The explosion occurred at Narayanapuram village in Dachepally block when a cooking gas cylinder exploded. Soon the gelatin sticks stocked inside the house caught fire. The explosion was so powerful that nearly 15 neighbouring houses were razed, police said.

The house belonged to one B Koteswara Rao, who undertakes quarrying work and the gelatin sticks were stored for the purpose, they added.

So far, eight bodies have been recovered and more persons are feared trapped in the debris, police said, adding rescue operations are on and the injured are being admitted to the general hospital.