Uttar Pradesh: Around five people are said to be  were killed and one injured after a powerful explosion caused a house to collapse in Pagla Bhari village under the Pura Kalandar police station limits in rural Ayodhya on Thursday morning. Officials fear that more people may still be trapped beneath the debris as rescue efforts continue.

The incident occurred around dawn, with the massive blast flattening the structure and damaging nearby houses. The sound of the explosion was heard across the village, triggering panic among residents who rushed out of their homes. Local police, fire services, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were immediately deployed to the site.

Ayodhya Circle Officer Devesh Chaturvedi said that initial findings suggest the explosion was caused by a domestic LPG cylinder. “So far, five deaths have been confirmed. Rescue operations are still underway,” he said. Earlier reports had indicated that illegally stored firecrackers might have caused the blast, but authorities later clarified that the primary source appeared to be a household gas cylinder.

The force of the explosion brought down the entire house and inflicted structural damage on neighbouring buildings. One injured survivor has been shifted to the district hospital for treatment, officials confirmed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed senior officials to reach the spot and oversee relief efforts. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured. He also prayed for their speedy recovery.

Rescue personnel are clearing debris and using equipment to search for anyone still trapped. Forensic teams have been called in to determine the exact cause of the explosion and rule out any other possible triggers.

The incident has raised concerns over household safety and the handling of LPG cylinders in rural areas. Local authorities are expected to initiate an investigation into whether safety protocols were followed.

As rescue operations continue into the night, officials said the death toll could rise if more victims are found under the debris. The area has been cordoned off, and residents have been asked to stay clear of the site while emergency teams work to stabilise damaged structures.