An altar exploded in a hail of sparks causing panic at a Catholic church service.

The devotees were praying during mass when thick black smoke emerged from the corner of the platform in the town of Minglanilla in Cebu province, the Philippines on Sunday.

A few moments later, strong continuous blasts like fireworks erupted a few feet behind the structure that housed sculptures of Mary and Jesus.

Footage shows the explosion rumbling inside the religious hall as devotees fled. In another clip, the church-goers were left inside the dark hall after all the lights went out following the blast.

Church-goer Vina Saile Villasencio said: ‘I was with my mum and dad that time. We were calm because we were a bit far from the altar but the others rushed to exit the church.'

No one was hurt in the incident but the altar was damaged. Priests blamed an electrical short circuit.

Vina added: ‘They said it was an electrical wire explosion that caused it. We don't know how, but I think the church admins already hired experts to check on it.'