2 Killed, 3 Hurt In Explosion At Cracker Unit In Jagatsinghpur

Jagatsinghpur: Two persons were killed and three others grievously injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory at Ichhapur village in Balikuda block of Jagatsinghpur district on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Bulu Das and Dillip Mohanty. They are the residents of Ichhapur and adjoining areas.

The incident took place around 1 pm while firecrackers were being manufactured in the unit. The intensity of the blast was so high that the entire factory was reduced to ashes.

The bricks and cement walls of the factory collapsed in the explosion. A house near the firecracker factory and a pile of paddy were also gutted in the fire.

The fire services personnel immediately rushed to the spot and doused the flame. The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

The firecracker factory is said to be running with a valid licence. However, the administration has not clarified it.

Meanwhile, three critically injured have been admitted to Jagatsinghpur district headquarters hospital, while two of them have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.