Representational Image
Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) : A powerful explosion on Thursday at a firecracker-making facility in the Sardhana area of Meerut killed two including a local Congress leader Asim Khan, leaving seven others injured.
The impact of the blast was so strong, triggering from a LPG cylinder blast, that the house of the Congress city chief, where the allegedly illegal factory was working, came down. Alongside, several houses and shops in the area got damaged.
Police and fire teams pulled out seven persons, including two children from the debris and were taken to a hospital.
Rescue operation went on late into Thursday evening looking for two more persons feared buried under the debris.
Sardhana circle office R.P. Shahi said, "Prima facie, the blast occurred after the gas cylinder caught fire. Forensic teams are also investigating to find the reason behind the blast.
"The Congress city president of Sardhana and another person have died in the blast and fire. At least 10 other houses have been damaged."
He further said, "A probe has been set up in the matter to find out what led to the accident."
IANS report with edits