Kanpur: 3 killed, more feared trapped as blast rips cracker unit

KANPUR: Three badly charred bodies mutilated beyond recognition were found from a building, housing a firecracker manufacturing unit, which collapsed in a powerful explosion in Bisanda area of Banda district on Thursday evening.
Police sources said that three persons were killed while four to five people are feared trapped in the rubble of the collapsed a 50x70 ft building in which firecracker manufacturing unit was operational.
“One Nafees Khan was running a licensed firecracker unit in the house of one Deshraj in Devinagar in Bisanda area of the district,” said ASP Banda, Lal Bharat Kumar Pal.
Three badly charred bodies have been recovered from the rubble and their identity could not be ascertained, Pal added.
Sources said that the blast occurred when about eight men along with firecracker unit owner Nafees were present in the unit.
One minor boy, identified as Shiv Lakhan, was admitted to nearby community health centre with burn injuries, said a senior official.
A senior police official said, “The licensed cracker unit of Nafees Khan was operational in rented portion of the house of Deshraj in Devinagar locality of Bisanda. Deshraj and his family live in the portion on the rear side of the building and have been safely evacuated.”
Police launched a massive rescue operation with support of locals. Several fire tenders were also pressed into service to douse the flames while three JCBs were roped in to remove the rubble to rescue any trapped persons. The bodies were shifted to district hospital.
Rescue work was in full swing till late night with all senior officials, including SP Banda Ganesh Shah, present on the spot.
“More people are feared trapped in the debris. We were able to rescue one injured,” the SP said.
“The rescue operation is still on in full swing, but the cause of blast is still unknown,” an official said.