EZHUKON: A middle aged couple died in a gas cylinder explosion at Ezhukon in Kollam on Tuesday. They were identified as Yohannan and his wife Annamma. The cylinder exploded after a rat nibbled the tube connected from the cylinder to the gas stove. The couple did not give much care even after a foul smell emanated. Fire broke out after they lit the stove without noticing the leak. The accident happened Tuesday morning at 5.30 am. A big explosion occurred when the couple were in the kitchen. Though the seriously injured were taken to the hospital, both died at 3 pm. As the couple’s son Joemon was upstairs, he did not sustain any injuries. Three rooms including the kitchen were completely damaged in the explosion.