At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a gas pipeline exploded in the Hattar Industrial Area on Thursday, triggering a massive fire, police and rescue officials said.

The explosion ruptured a Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) line, sending towering flames into the sky that were visible from miles away.

The fire spread rapidly, affecting a katcha abadi located close to the pipeline.

District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur said the blaze broke out following the explosion, with multiple casualties reported.

Earlier, officials had put the death toll at seven, with at least 10 people suffering severe burn injuries. The victims include men, women and children.

Rescue 1122 teams from Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Wah Cantt and Taxila rushed to the site and took part in firefighting and rescue operations.

Emergency teams shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, where several were said to be in critical condition.

Three bodies were brought to Haripur Trauma Centre, while five were shifted to the Rural Health Centre in Kot Najibullah, officials said.

Senior officials, including Medical Superintendent Dr Munawar Afridi, DPO Shafiullah Gandapur and Assistant Commissioner Fasih Ishaq Abbasi, were present at the scene to oversee the response.

Authorities shut down the main gas distribution valve from Wah to contain the blaze.

However, the fire continued for nearly two hours due to high pressure in the pipeline before subsiding around 9.00 p.m.

Rescue teams remain on site as operations continue. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and assess any safety lapses.