Bhubaneswar: Panic gripped Puri railway station after a cooking gas exploded in an army special train injuring two persons.

However a major mishap was averted, as no one was present in the train during the mishap.

Eyewitnesses said the incident took place around 5pm when the train was stationed at the platform No. 2. The impact was so severe that the pantry car was badly damaged.

The impact of the explosion was also felt in the Puri-Tirupati Express and the Dhauli Express, which were stationed at the nearest platforms. The windowpanes of both the trains were damaged in the explosion, and two persons suffered injuries after splinters hit them. Both of them were rushed to Puri District Headquarters Hospital, from where they were discharged after preliminary treatment.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) later found another 12 cylinders stored in the pantry car. "The fire was controlled immediately by personnel. Had the other cylinders blasted, the consequence would have been worse. Luckily, no one was present in the pantry car and other compartments of the train," said an RPF official.

Khurda Road divisional railway manager Brijmohan Agarwal said an inquiry had been ordered in this connection. "A locally filled 5kg portable cylinder exploded in the pantry car. The use of such cylinders is strictly prohibited in trains, and we will conduct an inquiry to find out how the cylinders were carried in the train. We have also intimated the matter to the army and will send them the inquiry report for further action on their end," said Agarwal.