Punjab | Five killed; over 18 injured in a cracker godown blast

Chandigarh: At Least five people were killed and over 18 were critically injured in a powerful blast in a cracker godown, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place in the intervening hours on Tuesday at the illegal cracker godown in Sular Gharat village near Dirba town in Sangrur district, about 150 km from Chandigarh.

According to the police, four of the deceased lost their lives on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

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The godown was being operated in a residential area. The building, where hundreds of crackers were stored caught fire. It collapsed completely making matters worse.

Buildings in the vicinity were also damaged.

In the night-long operation, authorities rushed in with the fire brigade and JCBs to clear the rubble and evacuate those injured.

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Police sources said three-four other illegal cracker godowns were located in the vicinity of the blast site. Action was being taken against such godowns.