Blast rips through Kushinagar cracker godown, four killed

Gorakhpur: At least four people were killed and 12 injured after a blast ripped through an illegal firecracker godown in the cramped Kaptanganj area of Kushinagar district early Wednesday.
The impact of the explosion was felt at least 500m away even as smoke enveloped the neighbourhood and it took three hours for two fire tenders to control the blaze.
The densely populated area had been a tinderbox with tonnes of crackers stashed away in the godown, but police chose to turn a blind eye till tragedy struck.And just hours after the blast, four policemen were suspended for dereliction of duty.
Around 7am on Wednesday, a minor spark ignited LPG cylinders in the basement and spiralled into a raging inferno, blowing up the house of the godown owner, Javed, in a congested bylane of Ward No. 11 of Aryanagar locality. Adjoining houses were also wrecked in the blast. Kushinagar superintendent of police Vinod Kumar Singh rushed to the spot even as firemen battled the blaze.
“Three residents were charred in the fire, while the fourth succumbed to burns on way to the district hospital. At least 12 people were injured and are battling for life. Strict action will be taken against those operating the godown,” said Singh.
The suspended cops include sub-inspector Ritesh Singh, head constable Manik Chand, constable Santosh Kumar and constable Manish Prasad. Circle officer Kasya is leading the investigation.
The deceased were identified as Nazia, 14, godown owner Javed, 35, his mother Fatima, 65, and his wife, Anwari, 32, who died on way to Gorakhpur hospital. The injured are undergoing treatment in Kushinagar district hospital and BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur.