Man dies in Siwan illegal firecracker unit explosion

Patna: A 50-year-old man, Mohd Murtuza Mansoori, was killed in a powerful explosion inside an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit being run at his house in Bargam village under the Hussainganj police station of Siwan district on Thursday. The blast occurred barely 7km from the place where CM’s Samriddhi Yatra programme was going on around 11.30am on Thursday.

Mansoori’s wife and children were in the backyard of the house at the time of the incident. They escaped unhurt.


Residents said the explosion was so severe that Mansoori’s body parts were found scattered nearly 20ft away. The house collapsed due to the impact and debris spilled on the road, drawing huge crowds to the spot. Locals alleged that illegal firecracker production had been going on at the house for a long time and despite several complaints to authorities concerned, no action was taken.

Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha inspected the site later. He said police are verifying whether the fireworks unit had a valid licence or not. “Preliminary investigation suggests firecrackers were being manufactured inside Mansoori’s house. Containers filled with firecrackers might have caught fire, trigering the blast. The bomb squad and forensic team have collected evidences. The house has been sealed,” the SP said.

Hussainganj SHO Mohan Prasad Singh confirmed that firecrackers were being made illegally at the house. “The exact cause of the explosion is being investigated by the forensic team. Police are also conducting searches to ascertain whether more such illegal firecracker units are operating in the area,” he added.