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Couple killed, son among 5 injured in Lucknow firecracker unit blast
Lucknow DM Vishak G, who visited the site, said the deceased were identified as Mohammad Alam and his wife
A couple was killed and at least five others, including their son, were injured in an explosion at an allegedly illegal firecracker unit in Lucknow’s Behta area under the Gudamba police station limits on Sunday morning, police said. Two of the injured were in a critical condition, said an official at KGMU. Following the incident, two police personnel were suspended and a detailed investigation was ordered.
Barely hours later, there was a second explosion, this one at a tin-shed structure allegedly used for firecracker storage, a little away from the site of the first, while the stock was being shifted, police said. No injuries or loss of human life were reported in the second incident.
The first incident took place at Behta village, situated less than a kilometre from Behta police outpost on Kursi road. The second explosion occurred at Semra Bhuiyan Mandi, 500-600 metres from the earlier explosion spot.
District magistrate Vishak G, who visited the site of the first blast, said the deceased were identified as Mohammad Alam and his wife. “The severe explosion damaged three to four surrounding houses. The exact cause of the fire is being investigated. The priority is treatment,” he stated.
According to an official statement from Lucknow Police, Alam, 50, son of the late Khuda Bakhsh, and his wife Munni, 48, died in the first blast. Among the injured, their son Irshad, 22, and Nadeem, 24, son of Sharif, have been referred to KGMU where they are undergoing treatment.
Three others—Zaid (35), Iram (32), and Hur Jahan (25)—received primary care and were later discharged.Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved families and directed district officials to expedite relief efforts.
“The chief minister has directed the district administration officials to reach the spot, expedite relief efforts and immediately transport the injured to the hospital for proper treatment. Additionally, he has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured,” read a post from the CM Office on X.
The Lucknow fire department said the first incident occurred at 11.52 am. “Upon receiving information about the blast, fire teams from Indira Nagar, Hazratganj, and Bakshi Ka Talab were immediately dispatched,” chief fire officer Ankush Mittal said. “Fireworks were being manufactured illegally inside the house,” Mittal said.
After the incident, the forensic team collected evidence from the spot and cordoned off the area. Team member Ajay Kumar Rai said, “So far, only materials used for making firecrackers have been found. Prima facie, the cause of the blast appears to be an explosion while making firecrackers.”
“The impact of the explosion brought down the structure and damaged three adjoining houses,” said DCP East Shashank Singh, along with senior police officials, including joint commissioner of police (Law & Order) Babloo Kumar.
“The deceased were identified as Mohammad Alam and his wife, while their two children sustained injuries. A woman from a neighbouring house, Hur Jahan, suffered head injuries and received 16 stitches. All the injured were shifted to Wellness Hospital and KGMU Trauma Centre for treatment,” Mittal said.
Investigation underway
While the situation has been brought under control, an investigation is underway to determine how such hazardous activity was being conducted in a residential area. Preliminary investigation revealed that country made crackers were being manufactured inside the house when the explosion occurred. However, Lucknow police did not clarify if the unit was illegal.
“The matter is being investigated. The paper works are being checked to find out if the unit has a licence,” added the DCP. When asked by the media persons if local police had information about the cracker factory being run in a crowded locality, the DCP said, “The matter is being investigated and the details will be shared.”
Licence renewal process pending: Officer
A senior police officer investigating the incident told HT, on condition of anonymity, late Sunday night that the original licence for stocking and selling fireworks was issued in the name of Khatoon, wife of Alam’s brother Munna.
“After Munna’s death, Alam applied for renewal under his son’s name. However, the renewal process was still pending, and the unit was functioning on the old licence,” the officer said. Possible lapses in police monitoring was suspected as the unit was running less than a kilometre from the police outpost.
