Over 30 people have been seriously injured in Bihar’s Aurangabad district after a short circuit led to a massive fire which triggered a gas cylinder blast while prasad was being cooked for Chhath Puja early this morning.

The injured have been admitted to hospital and at least 10 of the victims are reported to be in a critical state..

Seven policemen have also sustained burn injuries while trying to put out the fire.

Family members of one Anil Goswami were making prasad for Chhath Puja in the Shahganj locality of the city police station area when some gas cylinders caught fire causing a massive blaze, which intensified despite all efforts by locals to extinguish it

The police and fire brigade teams rushed to the spot immediately on receiving information to battle the blaze. .

The injured were rushed to the Aurangabad Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Sub-Inspector Vinay Kumar Singh from the city police station said the cause of the incident has not been confirmed by the administration yet, but the house owner Anil Goswami says that the fire started due to a gas explosion. Police are investigating the matter.