At least a woman was killed and another critically injured when some explosive materials went off in a house at Madhusudanpalli area of Rourkela city on Monday. About 50 houses were damaged due to the blast in the vicinity.

The impact of the blast was so heavy that the roof of the first floor of the house was completely blown away and about 15 more houses of the adjacent area were destroyed.

Sources said the blast took place at the house of one Jawaharlal Srivastab, a business man of the city at Telegupada area of Madhusudanpalli under Plantsite police station of the city. On Monday, Jawahar and his two sons had gone to their shop at Plantsite area whereas his wife and two daughters- in-law were present in the house. At about 12.15 pm, suddenly the explosion accompanied with a heavy sound took place. Majority of the houses in the locality have asbestos roofs, except the double storied house of Jawaharlal.

The youngest daughter in-law of Jawaharlal, identified as Rekha Srivastab (25), died after being buried under the debris of the roof of the house, whereas the elder daughter in-law, identified as Doly (30), was recovered in critical condition and was rushed to IGH, Rourkela. Gayatri, wife of Jawaharlal, however, escaped with just minor injuries.

Injured Doly was later shifted to VIMSAR, Burla, since her condition had become critical.

A team of police and fire officials and senior police officials like DIG (WR) Kavita Jalan and Rourkela SP Uma Shankar Dash rushed to the spot and supervised the inspection. The police after preliminary inquiry suspect some explosive materials to be present in the house as the reason for the blast.

"We suspect that some explosive materials present in the house went off in this case," said SP Rourkela, Dash.

"However, we are investigating into the matter and the exact reason of the blast can be confirmed only after the investigation is over," Dash added.

Meanwhile, arrangements were made by the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) for providing food to the victim family members for a couple of days.