Vijayawada: Three persons, including two women, were killed on the spot and six others, including four children, were severely injured following an LPG explosion on Tuesday in a house at Chittinagar in the city.

A leaking cylinder exploded in the house of Ch. Chittibabu, a lorry driver, at 7.30 am. Neighbours, K. Ramana, 45, his wife K. Nirmala, 40, and Kondeti Ramanamma, 65, died on the spot as the walls collapsed on them, said II-town inspector N. Durga Rao.

The explosion was so severe that more than five surrounding structures were reduced to rubble in seconds.

While Mr Chittibabu’s wife Siva Lokeswari, 30, received 80 per cent burns and is battling for her life, his children Keerthi, 10, and Nitin, 7, are stable. Mr Chittibabu was not at home during the mishap.

Two others injured were Ch. Karthikeya Swaroop, 15, and Ch. Teja Swaroop, 14, who live behind Mr Chittibabu’s room.

The severity of the damage led to the suspicion that it was actually a bomb blast. However, no explosive materials were found.

“The leaked gas from a full cylinder filled the room of the house. This turned the room itself into a cylinder and it exploded,” said inspector P. Venkateswarlu K. Indira, a pregnant woman who was sitting on the steps of her house, was also injured.