Following the massive fire that broke out in a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, continuous explosions shook the Manauri market. The explosion was so powerful that more than 15 houses built around the factory collapsed. So far, nine people have been reported dead in the accident, while many injured are battling between life and death. There is a possibility of many people being buried under the debris, due to which relief and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing.
Suddenly a fire broke out in a firecracker factory operating in a house in Mahmoodpur Manauri market of Pipri police station area at around 12 noon on Monday. Within no time the fire engulfed the firecrackers kept there and powerful explosions started happening one after the other. The sound of the explosions was heard up to a distance of about two to three kilometers.
After the explosion, a cloud of smoke spread over the entire area. People came out of their homes to save their lives. The intensity of the blasts can be gauged from the fact that more than 15 houses around the factory were damaged and collapsed. Bricks and debris reached the railway bridge located about 250 meters away, while the glasses of many houses were also broken.
Search for people buried under debris
As soon as information about the accident was received, police and administrative teams of Kaushambi and Prayagraj districts reached the spot. Due to continuous explosions, there were many difficulties in the rescue operation in the initial phase. After the situation was under control, the search for people was started by removing the debris with the help of JCB and other resources. Many people are feared buried under the debris. The rescue team is removing the debris of the collapsed buildings one by one. A large number of police forces are deployed at the spot.
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5 people of the same family died
The accident completely devastated a family of Mirpur village. Gaya Prasad Sahu, who lives in a house near the firecracker factory, his wife Urmila and three sons Aditya, Ravi and Chhotu were present inside the house during the explosion. Due to the explosion, the house was completely razed to the ground and all the family members were buried under the debris. After about two hours of hard work, the rescue team removed the debris and took out the bodies of the five. The news of the death of five people of the same family spread mourning in the village.
Many injured, three on ventilator
People injured in the blast have been admitted to other hospitals including SRN Hospital in Prayagraj. Among the injured who reached SRN, five-year-old Pranjali and 13-year-old Praveen died before reaching the hospital. The condition of 16-year-old Urvashi, 45-year-old Rajesh and Savita is said to be very serious and they have been kept on ventilator.
Samta (33), Anita (35) and Mala Devi (36) are also undergoing treatment. The condition of Anita and Mala Devi is said to be out of danger. Different information has come out from the administration regarding the number of dead. Initial reports confirmed five deaths, while later updates put the death toll at nine. There is a possibility of people still being buried under the debris, hence the possibility of the death toll increasing is not being ruled out.
Army and Air Force personnel also came to the rescue
Considering the seriousness of the accident, along with the police and administration, Army and Air Force personnel have also been deployed in relief operations. Air Force personnel are busy clearing the debris and evacuating the trapped people. Apart from Prayagraj's ADG, IG, DIG and Additional Police Commissioner, many senior officers including DM and SP of Kaushambi were present on the occasion. Prayagraj Additional Police Commissioner Dr. Ajay Pal Sharma and ADM City Satyam Mishra along with officials took stock of the spot.
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The reason for the fire is not clear yet
The administration has not yet clarified the reason for the fire in the factory. Police and administrative officials are collecting evidence from the spot. It is also being investigated how the firecracker factory was being operated and whether safety standards were being followed there or not. At present, the priority of the administration is to rescue the people trapped under the debris as soon as possible and provide better treatment to the injured. Relief and rescue operations are continuing.