Imphal, July 27 -- A fire caused by a cooking gas cylinder explosion destroyed a wooden upper-floor house in Manipur's Imphal West district on Sunday morning. A sum of Rs 5 lakhs kept in a trunk inside the house was also destroyed.

The incident occurred around 9.40 am at Yumnam Huidrom Teramakhong Makha Leikai, under the jurisdiction of Wangoi Police Station. The explosion, which started in the kitchen, caused the fire to spread rapidly.

Huidrom Bisheswor Singh, 55, the owner of the house and the fire victim, told mediapersons that the fire broke out suddenly when he attempted to ignite the gas cylinder to begin cooking.

Flames erupted from the first floor, and the fire quickly engulfed the furniture and belongings. A second explosion ...