Berhampur, June 2: A minor boy was burnt to death after a gas cylinder exploded and triggered a fire at a grocery shop in Samantaraghai Chhak under Sorada police limits in Odisha's Ganjam district on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Badal Muli, a resident of Gangapur village under Badagada police station limits. He had reportedly come to his grandparents' house during the summer vacation and was staying at his maternal uncle's shop when the incident occurred.

According to preliminary reports, a gas cylinder kept inside the grocery shop suddenly exploded, leading to a massive fire. Badal was inside the shop at the time. He was unable to escape as the flames rapidly engulfed the premises and was charred to death.

On being informed, personnel from the Sorada Fire Services rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after an intensive operation. Sorada police also reached the scene, recovered the body and launched an investigation into the incident.

The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, and further inquiry is underway.