Thane, Dec 6 (IANS): Three workers were killed and at least five others injured when a scrapped chemical tanker exploded in a dumpyard at Davri in Dombivli town here Friday, police said.

The blast occurred when some workers were attempting to open a discarded chemical tanker with gas-cutters, an official of the Manpada Police Station said.

As some residual chemicals in the tanker came in contact with the flames from the gas-cutters, an explosion rocked the locality and the tanker was ripped apart, with some metal pieces flying over a kilometre away.

Three workers were struck dead instantly, while at least five others, including some slum dwellers in the vicinity of the dumpyard, sustained injuries.

Police said there were reports of cracks developing in some houses and chawls in the vicinity due to the sonic impact of the blast, but these could not be verified immediately.

Police are investigating as to who sold the tanker and why was it not properly cleaned off all residual chemicals before the disposal work started.