The incident occurred when one M Kumar, a scrap-picker, was opening the 10-litre paint can and it suddenly exploded resulting in his death on the spot, Narsingi Police Station Inspector P Ramchander Rao said.
"The blast occurred when he was trying to open the paint box...It contained expired paint...And it seems may be due to chemicals in the box there was a blast," the Inspector said based on preliminary investigation.
A bomb disposal squad and forensic experts reached the spot and collected the remains of the paint box, he said.
A case under section 174 CrPc was booked, they said, adding that further probe was on.
