In Andhra Pradesh, at least 15 people were killed and 20 others injured when gelatin sticks stocked in a house blew up due to a fire triggered by a cylinder blast in a village in Guntur district today.<br/>The explosion occurred at Narayanapuram village in Dachepally block when a cooking gas cylinder exploded. Soon the gelatin sticks stocked inside the house caught fire. Police said, the explosion was so powerful that nearly 15 neighbouring houses were razed.<br/>So far, eight bodies have been recovered and more persons are feared trapped in the debris. Relief operations are on and the injured are being admitted to the Guntur General hospital.<br/><br/>Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has directed top officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the blast . <br/>State Director General of Police R R Girish Kumar said that a detailed enquiry has been ordered into the blast.<br/>AIR correspondent M.S. Lakshmi reports that the Narayanapuram village in the erstwhile naxal infested Palnadu area of Guntur district was shocked and shaken by the sudden blast took place in the forenoon. The incident happened mainly due to reported pileup of gelatine sticks along with a number of gas cylinders. The explosion was so intense that at least 10 houses in the surrounding areas collapsed. The owner of the three-storied house who had a license for supplying explosives earlier has allegedly kept them at the residence illegally. The owner himself and his wife were among those who perished in the explosion. Massive rescue operations are underway to save the victims, if any, who are feared trapped under the debris. As it is feared that some more stacks of gelatine sticks are under the debris, the rescue operations are slowly progressing. The Chief Minister K Rosaiah enquired with the district authorities about the incident. District Collector and SP visited the spot and the cause of the incident is being investigated.<br/>