Tragedy in Lucknow: Couple Killed in Firecracker Factory Explosion

A devastating explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Behta locality of Lucknow’s Gudamba area, resulting in the deaths of a couple and injuries to five others. The blast, which originated from a house allegedly operating as an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit, caused extensive damage to nearby homes and sent shockwaves through the community.

Incident Overview

At approximately 12:00 PM, a powerful explosion tore through the residence of Mohammad Alam and his wife Munni, both in their 40s. The couple perished in the blast, while their 22-year-old son Irshad, along with four others—Nadeem (24), Jaid (35), Iram (32), and Hoorj Zaha (25)—sustained injuries. Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The explosion also caused the collapse of parts of the roof and damaged at least four adjacent houses.

Cause and Investigation

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion was triggered by the mishandling and unsafe storage of firecrackers within the house. The residence was found to be overstocked with damp firecrackers, stored hastily due to humidity and the approaching festive season. The storage license, originally issued to Mohammad Shoaib, had been transferred to his son, both of whom were involved in cracker manufacturing. A second explosion occurred around 7:00 PM in a nearby tin-shed during rescue operations, though no injuries were reported.

Community Impact

Residents described the blast as resembling an earthquake or a storm, obliterating parts of the area within seconds. The explosion turned the once-quiet hamlet into a ghost town by evening, with shattered structures and traumatized survivors. Emergency teams, including fire brigade and State Disaster Response Force personnel, worked tirelessly to rescue victims and neutralize any remaining explosive material.

Conclusion

This tragic incident underscores the critical need for stringent enforcement of safety regulations concerning the storage and handling of hazardous materials, especially in residential areas. It also highlights the importance of community awareness and vigilance to prevent such devastating occurrences in the future.