The shock from the multiple blasts were so massive that they tore down three nearby buildings reducing them to a rubble
A massive fire that broke out in an illegally-run firecracker godown in Bikaner on Friday gutted three nearby buildings and charred four to death. More than a dozen others were injured in the blaze that ravaged the entire warehouse used for storing fire crackers. The shock from the multiple blasts were so massive that they tore down three nearby buildings reducing them to a rubble.
The incident occurred at Didu Sipahiyan ki gali located at Songiri Kuan area of Bikaner city. “The fire broke out around 11 am. Labourers were at the godown engaged in their daily chores when the fire broke out. Due to the fire, the firecrackers started bursting one after the other,” an official said. It was only after the explosions started jolting the neighbourhood that the locals rushed to find out the terrible tragedy.
According to the locals, the workers tried to escape to safety even as the blasts were rocking the area. They were, however, caught in the waves of the blasts. The situation worsened when the nearby buildings started to crumble under the impact of the shock waves.
“Within minutes of the first few blasts, the godown building sustained severe damage and parts of its ceiling started falling on the floor. Then the nearby buildings started collapsing,” a cop said. Police teams rushed to the spot and fire tenders were pressed into service. Four persons identified as Zahrun Bano (62), Shaqil Mohammad (47), Mohammad Hafiz (38) and Balraj (23) died before they could be rescued as they got buried under the debris,” officials said. A dozen others were rescued and rushed to the hospital.
In their investigations so far, the police have learnt that the godown was owned by one Kailash Vyas who had been given a license to operate a godown, stock and sell firecrackers at Bachasar village. However, the man had kept the items in the godwon in the middle of the city. “Fire tenders could not reach the place as the alley was way too narrow for the vehicles. Pipes had to be joined together to flush in the water to douse the fire. After three hours of firefighting, the fire could be doused at 2 pm,” an official said.
NO ESCAPE PLAN
- The godown was owned by one Kailash Vyas who had been given a license to operate a godown, stock and sell firecrackers at Bachasar village. However, the man had kept the items in the godwon in the middle of the city. “Fire tenders could not reach the place as the alley was way too narrow for the vehicles,” an official said.
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 "Bikaner godown fire")
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