Two die, five hurt in explosion at illegal Jandiala firecracker unit

Amritsar, September 2

Two persons, including a woman, was killed while five others were injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit at Nangal Guru village in the Jandiala area on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

The incident left village residents shocked and panicked as they did not know about illegal firecracker unit being run in an outer house owned by one Kuldeep Kaur. She had given the house on rent around two months ago two several persons of Bhinder village.

Besides Kuldeep Kaur, German Singh of Bhinder village succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Confirming the deaths, Ravinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said a case had been registered against Ninder Singh and his brother Binder Singh, both residents of Bhinder village, and Gaurav, a resident of Jandiala Guru, who were illegally running the firecracker factory in the house.

Giving details, the DSP said Kuldeep Kaur was a widow and used to live alone in the house. She had given her house on rent around two months ago. She did not know about the illegal activity. Last night, there was an explosion apparently due to some spark that fell on potash, used for making firecrackers, the DSP said. Walls and roof of the house collapsed blocking the entry and exit points of the premises, the DSP said. The victims sustained critical burn injuries in explosion, the DSP added.

Fire brigade personnel and the police immediately rushed to the spot and sent victims to a hospital where two of them succumbed to injuries while five others were undergoing treatment, the DSP said. Their condition was also stated to be serious, the DSP added.

Amarjit Kaur, former village sarpanch, said Kuldeep Kaur’s husband had died a few years ago. She had rented her accommodation to several residents of Bhinder village two months ago. Kuldeep Kaur did not know that they were involved in illegal storing of potash used for manufacturing firecrackers, she said. When the explosion was heard last night, villagers thought it was some kind of cylinder blast, she said. Later, they learnt about illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in the house, she added. The house was badly damaged and victims were buried under debris, she said.

Charanjit Singh, SSP, Amritsar (Rural), said a case had been registered in this connection and efforts were on to nab the suspects.