Puri, Nov. 13 -- At least three hotel employees and one fire service personnel sustained injuries after a gas cylinder explosion triggered a major fire at a hotel located on the bustling Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Puri on Friday, officials said.

The incident occurred at the TP Hotel situated along the Grand Road, in close proximity to the Shree Jagannath Temple. The impact of the blast was so severe that it shattered glass windows, blew off parts of the false ceiling, and scattered shards and debris onto the busy street outside.

Fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot, and firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.

Speaking to ANI, Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Geeta Singh said, "We received inform...