At least 11 people were killed when two houses collapsed after a deafening explosion in one of them belonging to a firecracker trader in Rotaha village under Chauri police station area of Bhadohi district in Uttar Pradesh, police said.

Daily wage earning weavers who used to make carpets in the back portion of the house were among the dead.

Police said the blast took place in a house belonging to Irfan Mansoori, who manufactured and sold firecrackers. The blast took place around 11.30 am. Mansoori’s father, Kaliyar Mansoor also died in the blast. Other deceased are being identified, police said.

The sound of the explosion was heard up to four kilometres away and caused panic among locals. The blast was so powerful that debris — bricks and household items — could be seen strewn as far as 50 feet away from the collapsed house.

Mansoori used to make firecrackers in his house and had also opened a shop in the front portion of the house. In the back portion of the house, weavers made carpets.

Police said the four persons present in the house were killed immediately, while three others succumbed to their injuries later. Police and the locals managed to extract the bodies from the debris of the fallen houses. The injured were rushed to a hospital.

Additional superintendent of police, Dr Sanjay Kumar confirmed the figure and said that rescue operation is being carried out. A team of NDRF has also been called.

Dr Kumar said an investigation would be conducted into the matter. Two policemen have been suspended.

First Published: Feb 23, 2019 15:31 IST