A two-storey building collapsed in the Paigambarpur area of Varanasi on Thursday after an explosion that police suspect was caused by an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit operating inside the house. Two people were injured and taken to hospital, while one woman is believed to be trapped under the debris.
What happened
Police said information about the collapse reached them around 5 p.m. The building falls under the Sarnath police station limits. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Pandey told IANS that firecrackers were found scattered at the site, and the working theory is that the explosion came from the firecrackers and other highly inflammable materials stored on the premises.
"The information about the incident was received at 5 p.m.," Pandey said. "It is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers." He cautioned that the exact cause is still preliminary and the matter is under investigation.
Rescue workers were still at the site on Thursday evening after local residents reported that a woman remained buried in the rubble. The rescue operation was underway at the time of reporting.
Government response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed senior officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite relief work. He asked that the injured receive proper medical treatment and that the families of the affected be contacted, according to official statements.
Pattern of illegal units
The incident follows a deadly explosion in August at an illegal firecracker unit in Chilla Shahbazi village in Kaushambi, which killed 11 people and seriously injured five. In that case, authorities announced rewards of Rs 25,000 for three absconding suspects linked to the unit.
Sources:
- IANS: Building Collapses in Varanasi Due to Firecracker Explosion
- IANS/Bhaskar: Building Collapses in Varanasi Due to Firecracker Explosion
What happened
Police said information about the collapse reached them around 5 p.m. The building falls under the Sarnath police station limits. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Pandey told IANS that firecrackers were found scattered at the site, and the working theory is that the explosion came from the firecrackers and other highly inflammable materials stored on the premises.
"The information about the incident was received at 5 p.m.," Pandey said. "It is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers." He cautioned that the exact cause is still preliminary and the matter is under investigation.
Rescue workers were still at the site on Thursday evening after local residents reported that a woman remained buried in the rubble. The rescue operation was underway at the time of reporting.
Government response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed senior officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite relief work. He asked that the injured receive proper medical treatment and that the families of the affected be contacted, according to official statements.
Pattern of illegal units
The incident follows a deadly explosion in August at an illegal firecracker unit in Chilla Shahbazi village in Kaushambi, which killed 11 people and seriously injured five. In that case, authorities announced rewards of Rs 25,000 for three absconding suspects linked to the unit.
Sources:
- IANS: Building Collapses in Varanasi Due to Firecracker Explosion
- IANS/Bhaskar: Building Collapses in Varanasi Due to Firecracker Explosion
