2 killed, several injured in Kanpur firecracker unit blast

KANPUR: Two people were killed while several others suffered injuries in a powerful explosion at an illegal firecracker unit on Wednesday in Sarsaul area in Kanpur district.

The incident took place at Sarsaul Bazar near the Kanpur-Fatehpur-Allahabad highway. Several residential and commercial structures were damaged in the blast that caused panic in the area.

It is learnt that a huge stock of firecrackers and explosives was kept inside the unit. According to locals, the blast took place around 1pm.

At that time, several people, mainly labourers were present in the unit as well as in adjoining structures.

While two persons died on the spot, those sustained injuries were admitted to Kashiram Trauma Centre.

Locals of the area were the first to reach the spot. The residents informed police control room following which senior district and police officials and fire tenders rushed to the spot.

"Rescue operations are underway and a thorough probe would be conducted in this regard. The accident site has been cordoned off and we have sought assistance from the forensic team to ascertain the exact cause which led to the explosion and also about the nature of explosives," district magistrate Surendra Singh said.

"The injured have been rushed to Kashiram Trauma Centre. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination," he added.

Officials further claimed that the death toll is likely to increase.

Locals meanwhile alleged that the unit had been running for the past few months. The labourers were working overtime to deliver fireworks to the nearby areas, as the Diwali festival is round the corner.