‘Potash was illegally stored in a house’: Ten including five children suffer burn injuries; owner booked

The injured were identified as Runjhun (8), Sony (15), Ajay (17), Vishnu (18), Shivam (20), Sunny (22), Jatoon (60), Rahul (15), Nitin (4) and another Shivam (20).

Police said that the incident took place in the house of one Usman Khan, in his 50s, who handcrafts effigies of Ravan and other firecrackers during the festive season.

“Usman has been manufacturing and supplying the effigies of Raavan since 20-25 years. He also makes some firecrackers in festive season for which he had illegally stored potash and other explosive materials in the house. We have booked him. Other aspects of the incident are under investigation and forensic team has collected samples from the spot,” said Inspector Gurjeet Singh, SHO, Division number 2 police station.

The injured were admitted to Civil Hospital and Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Ludhiana.(Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

He said that Usman’s mother-in-law and son were also injured in the incident while he wasn’t present in the house when the blast took place.

An FIR against Usman has been registered under the relevant sections of BNS and the Explosives Act, said the SHO. “He is absconding,” said the SHO.

The injured were admitted to Civil Hospital and Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Ludhiana.

“Of the 10 injured, six have been referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, as a precautionary measure,” said Jasleen Kaur Bhullar, sub-divisional magistrate, East, Ludhiana.

Meanwhile, Ludhiana (Central) AAP MLA Ashok Prashar Pappi who visited the hospital, said that the explosion was caused by illegal stored potash in a house. “The administration is taking care of the treatment of all injured persons. Action will be taken against those who illegally store potash or make firecrackers inside houses,” he said.