Kantabanji: Five members of a family and a neighbour sustained grievous burn injuries as an LPG cylinder exploded when they, along with a few others, were watching television today afternoon in their house at Uparapada locality of Kanut village under Belapada police limits in Bolangir district.

The critically injured have been identified as Bhairabi Ada, Purush Ada, Mahe Ada, Diti Ada, Bhagya Ada, and Malati Mahakud. Others present in the room also sustained burn injuries in the incident.

According to a source, the family members and some of their neighbours were watching TV when the fatal fire mishap took place. The LPG cylinder was kept in the kitchen near the small room.

Some locals rescued the injured, including women and children, and rushed them to the community health centre (CHC) in Kantabanji in critical condition for treatment. Some of them were later shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Bolangir town as their health condition has deteriorated.