A cooking gas cylinder that had caught fire exploded in the middle of the road in India on Tuesday (April 17).

The cylinder had caught fire in a house in Bhadravati city in Karnataka state, western India, and a woman, who was cooking, brought it outside and left it on the road.

A crowd gathered and stood at a distance. None dared to get close to the burning cylinder expecting it to explode any time.

They made a call to the local fire department and waited for assistance to arrive.

As they watched, a local man offered to try to put out the fire. Another man tried to take his scooter out saying he was getting late for work.

As neighbours tried to stall them, the cylinder exploded in a massive ball of fire.

While the lucky men escaped death, another woman was not so fortunate. She had got close to have a better look and died in the blast. Three other onlookers were also injured in the blast.

The local police have identified the deceased as Saraswarti, aged 55.

A cooking gas cylinder that had caught fire exploded in the middle of the road.

The cylinder had caught had fire in a house in Bhadravati city in Karnataka state, western India, and a woman, who was cooking, brought it outside and left it on the road.

A crowd gathered and stood at a distance. None dared to get close to the burning cylinder expecting it to explode any time.

They made a call to the local fire department and waited for assistance to arrive.

As they watched, a local man offered to try to put out the fire. Another man tried to take his scooter out saying he was getting late for office.

As the neighbours managed to stall them, the cylinder exploded in a massive ball of fire.

While the lucky men escaped death, another woman was not so fortunate. She had got close to have a better look and died in the blast. Three other onlookers were also injured in the blast.

The local police have identified the deceased as Saraswarti, 55.