Two dead, five others critically injured in explosion at firecracker godown in Odisha

A powerful explosion at a firecracker godown in Haladidiha locality near Bhadrak-Chandbali road in Bhadrak district claimed two lives and left five more injured on Tuesday.

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Among the seven, two were critically injured and later died while undergoing treatment in SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack later in the day.

Victims include 4 women and a minor boy

According to official sources, the seven people, including four women and a minor boy, had sustained grievous injuries after a fire broke out at a cracker manufacturing unit. The fatal incident occurred at the Haladidiha bypass under the Rural Police limits. Four women and the boy are among the seriously injured, a senior cop from the local police station said.

Police have identified the injured as Ranjita Jena (24) of Kajimahal under the jurisdiction of Bhadrak Town Police Station, Sultana Bibi (45), Rato Bibi (40), Arzifa Khatoon (20), and SK Musaraf (12). They are residents of Haladidiha under Puruna Bazaar police limits.

The five injured were initially admitted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Bhadrak. They were later shifted to the SCBMCH after their condition deteriorated, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Bhadrak, Dr. Sudhanshu Sekhar Bal informed.

However, two others who were also injured and had minor burns in the fire mishap were treated and discharged from the hospital, the CDMO further said.

“A loud explosion occurred at a firecracker manufacturing unit, which reduced it to rubble. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the structure within minutes,” an eyewitness said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene upon receiving information and managed to bring the blaze under control. Locals also played a key role in transporting the injured to the hospital.

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Rural Police have registered a case in this connection and initiated a probe to determine the cause of blaze, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC), Dayanidhi Das expressed.