Five persons were critically injured in a blast at a scrap dealers’ shop at Digambarchuk near Raja Maidam Road in Jorhat town around 3.30pm on Thursday under Jorhat sadar police station in the district.

According to the police, the blast is suspected to have occurred when the four were hammering and trying to break down an oxygen cylinder, which was sold as scrap.

The injured have been identified as Moidul Islam, Hazrat Ali, Sahidul Ali Sahidul Islam and Archad Ali, and admitted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.

Sources said Moidul is said to be in a critical condition. The police are investigating the incident and details are awaited.

Superintendent of police Jorhat, Baivab Nimbalkar, told The Telegraph that a case has been registered.