MULTAN, Nov 2: A woman and scores of pets were killed after an ammonia cylinder exploded at an ice factory spreading poisonous gas that also left 10 people, including five children, unconscious in the city on Sunday.

Flying birds fell on the ground while over 30 people were found lying on the streets near Shalimar Town, Bosan Road, when 25 rescuers reached the spot within 20 minutes of the occurrence, said Rescue 1122 official Abdul Jabbar.

The cylinder blast caused the spread of ammonia gas and the wind carried the poisonous gas to nearby areas where people faced acute breathing problem.

The situation remained troublesome till 4pm, however, later, the atmosphere became clear. The people who were found lying on the streets either unconscious or facing breathing problem were immediately taken to nearby area opposite to the direction of the wind to save them from further ammonia inhalation and were given first aid, he said.

A woman, Kausar, (40) was baking `rotis’ on a `tanoor’ in the house of her neighbour when she inhaled ammonia in excess and fell unconscious. She was among the 11 unconscious people taken to the emergency ward of Nishtar hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.

Azhar (25) was being treated at the Intensive Care Unit due to his serious condition, said a lady doctor at the emergency ward.

Others who were hospitalised included two brothers Muzammil (5) and Husnain (4), Yousuf Raza (6), Ali (4), Savera (3), Sakina (24), Kulsoom (25), Nazar Abbas (35), and Sanam.

Pet animals, including goats, pigeons, hens and many other birds which had fallen on the ground due to poisonous gas were found dead.

Doctors said some of the people were discharged after they became stable.

The factory was reportedly owned by Farooq. It had been closed for the last many days and only one person was present inside it who fled the scene unhurt after the blast that also damaged its building.

Gulgasht police said they were waiting for the postmortem report and the application for registration of a case. —APP