2 killed, 5 injured in fire at cracker manufacturing unit in Odisha

Bhadrak, May 6 (PTI) Two persons were killed and five others injured after a fire broke out at a cracker manufacturing unit in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Tuesday, police said.

The incident happened in the Haladiha Bypass on Chandbali Road, they said.

The deceased persons were identified as SK Musaraf (12) and Raitun Bibi (40).

Ranjita Jena (24), Sultana Bibi (45) and Arzifa Khatoon (20) were among those injured in the fire, police said.

Condoling the deaths, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each from the State Disaster Response Fund for the next of kin of the deceased.

Those seriously injured in the fire were initially admitted to the Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.

Two of those injured were discharged from the hospital after preliminary treatment, an official said.

Locals reported a loud explosion followed by a fire that spread rapidly, engulfing the structure within minutes.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, but preliminary investigations suggested a leak in a cooking gas cylinder, police said.

An investigation has been started, said Susanta Sahoo, the inspector-in-charge of the Purana Bazar police station. PTI COR AAM AAM SOM