QUITO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and nine others injured following an explosion inside a house in the canton of Antonio Ante in northern Ecuador's Imbabura province on Tuesday morning, the National Police said.

The blast destroyed the house and alarmed nearby residents, who alerted emergency services.

Firefighters rescued 10 injured people from the scene, one of whom later died from their injuries, according to local media reports.

Police confirmed that explosives and firearms were found in the house. Bomb disposal technicians conducted controlled detonations of unexploded devices found at the scene.

Witnesses said that several people fled the area after the explosion.

The site remains cordoned off as authorities continue their investigation. ■