Surat: Two workers died and 13 others were injured after a fire triggered by an LPG cylinder explosion broke out at an embroidery unit in Bharatnagar under Varachha police station limits early Thursday morning.

Fire officials said three of the eight LPG cylinders stored in the unit exploded after a suspected short circuit sparked a fire on the third floor of the metal-sheet structure, where around 22 workers lived and worked. These workers were asleep when the fire broke out. Two workers sleeping close to the cylinders died in the blast. Clothes stored in the unit caught fire, which then spread to the small cylinders used for cooking, intensifying the blaze.

Fire teams rushed to the spot with four vehicles and rescued 11 trapped workers using a hydraulic ladder. Thirteen injured persons were admitted to SMIMER Hospital, while the others are reported to be out of danger.

Police have seized all eight cylinders, including the three that exploded, and started an investigation into the incident. DeshGujarat