The bodies of four missing people have been found after an oil storage tank exploded in central China's Hunan Province on Monday, taking the death toll to five, local authorities said.

The blast occurred around 10:45 am in the yard of a residential building that was under construction in Qingshui village of Xiangtan city, according to sources with the publicity department of Yuetang district, which administers the village.

Five people were also injured in the blast and two are in a critical condition, receiving treatment in a local hospital

A total of 17 people were working in the yard when the tank exploded. The fire caused by the explosion was put out by 1:10 pm.

An initial investigation showed that illegal welding and installation of the oil tank was to blame for the explosion.

The case is under investigation.