Srinagar, Nov 30: Six members of family were killed after a gas cylinder exploded in a house at Maitra area of Ramban district of Jammu region on late Friday.
Reports said a woman Darshana Devi was cooking in the kitchen when the cylinder abruptly exploded leaving all the inmates injured. Darshana Devi died on spot while her four little daughters and lone son died at Udhampur Hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Darshana Devi (36), her daughters Ashu Devi (13), Santosh Devi (7) and Priyanka Devi (3) and son Ashish.
Their rented accommodation caught fire following the LPG cylinder blast.
The head of the family BishanDass had shifted to Ramban town from his Tangar village and was living as a tenant in the house of M Yaseen. He was not at home and had gone to attend a marriage function.
A cow and a calf, belonging to the family, were also killed in the blaze which reduced the house of Yaseen to ashes.
One Preetam Kumar, 24 who was also present on the spot of incident received critical burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at Udhampur hospital.
Sources said that the house where cylinder exploded is adjacent the office of the Deputy Commissioner Ramban.
A police official said that that a case has been registered and investigation set into motion. He said that it has to be seen where the family procured the LPG gas cylinder.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Ramban visited the bereaved family and assured them all possible financial assistance.