Mangaluru: Four families in Hoigebazar had a providential escape after a gas cylinder burst accidentally on Friday evening.

It is learnt that all four families belong to fishermen community. In addition to three shanties, money amounting from Rs 7,000 to Rs 50,000 that they had gathered with great difficulty have been reduced to ashes.

Firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Pandeshwar police have registered a case.