Hyderabad, Oct 24 (IANS) A security guard and a woman were killed and 10 others were injured when a cooking gas cylinder exploded in a ladies hostel here Sunday, police said.

The death toll could rise as five of the injured were said to be in critical condition.

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder was possibly leaking and suddenly caught fire. Such was the impact of the blast that a wall of the hostel building collapsed, a police officer said.

‘Most women were asleep when the tragedy struck. I was woken up by a loud thud and found everybody running in panic,’ said a young woman who escaped with minor injuries.

The accident took place in Indiaranagar locality.