Man killed in firecracker explosion in his house

Prayagraj: A 55-year-old man was killed, and two other family members sustained injuries in an explosion at a house in Jiriyamau village, under the limits of Kotwali Police Station in Pratapgarh district, late on Thursday night. The deceased, identified as Mukhtar Ahmed, was a resident of Jiriyamau. The injured, including Sabnam (25) and Shabnam (26), both residents of Jiryamau were admitted to SRN Hospital, Prayagraj, for treatment. Police said that Mukhtar had a firecracker licence (valid until 2026) for storing firecrackers in the godown. He, however, stored a major consignment of firecrackers at his three-storey house. According to the police, the explosion occurred on the first floor of the building and damaged nearby houses. Upon being alerted, senior police officials, firemen, and forensic experts rushed to the spot and carried out investigations. The house was located in a densely populated area, and the owner had brought firecrackers for sale on the occasion of Dussehra and Diwali. A senior officer, however, told TOI, "A joint team of police and fire officials are investigating the reason behind the explosion." He added, "Police carried out rescue operation in the area."Meanwhile, Manikpur police arrested a man identified as Monu Agrahari, a resident of Lala Bazaar, and seized illegal crackers (two sacks full of firecrackers). He was booked under Section 9(k) of the Explosive Act. The accused had no licence for the manufacturing or storage of firecrackers.