Explosion at illegal firecracker godown in Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate Police launch manhunt to nab building owner

A day after a massive fire broke out at an illegal firecracker godown located at Chunukoli slum under Infocity police limits in Bhubaneswar, the Commissionerate Police registered a case against the owner of the building.

According to sources, the police have also sealed the warehouse and launched a manhunt to nab the owner of the building, identified as Bighnaraj Pattnaik.

The unprecedented blaze was triggered by a massive explosion that occurred in the vicinity of Chunukoli locality under Infocity police limits on Monday evening. While no loss of life was reported, the impact of the explosion cracked the walls of the godown building before engulfing it completely.

Incidentally, a women’s hostel, located on the ground floor of the same premises, had its glasses shattered from the explosion.

Serious questions are now being posed as to how the hostel was able to operate from the building that housed the unauthorized firecracker godown. Moreover, the incident also raised questions about safety protocols regarding commercial and residential establishments in the city.