Two people were killed and three others suffered severe burn injuries after an explosion at a suspected illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Mahilo village under Tirtol police station limits in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district on Thursday afternoon, police said.
The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Manoranjan Swain and his 25-year-old son, Soumya Swain. The injured were identified as Manoranjan’s wife, Laxmipriya Swain, 52, a relative, Rajalaxmi Swain, 25, and Rahul Raj Mohant, 28, a government school teacher.
The injured were initially taken to Jagatsinghpur district headquarters hospital. Their condition later deteriorated and they were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, according to the report. Police said Mohant had reportedly come to the house for lunch when the explosion occurred.
The blast damaged substantial parts of the house, including walls, doors and windows. Preliminary investigation indicates that family members were making firecrackers inside the residence when the explosion took place.
Ajaya Kumar Das, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Tirtol, said the unit was operating without a licence. Police seized a large quantity of firecrackers and explosive materials from the site, while samples were sent for forensic examination.
“We have found that the unit was operating illegally without any licence,” Das said, according to the report. Police have registered a case under Sections 3 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation will examine the source of the explosive materials and identify others involved in the operation.
The incident has also raised concerns about the presence of other suspected firecracker-making units in Mahilo and nearby villages. Following the explosion, several operators reportedly left their homes amid fears of police action.
Residents alleged that illegal firecracker manufacturing units had been operating in and around the village for years despite repeated safety concerns. One resident, who spoke anonymously, said authorities had not taken adequate steps to shut the units down and that the activity was putting lives and property at risk.
The case highlights the risks created when explosive-material manufacturing takes place inside residential structures, where workers, family members, visitors and neighbouring households may be exposed to a single accident. The police investigation and forensic examination will determine the materials involved and establish how the suspected unit was being operated.
Police said further investigation is underway into the licensing status of the unit, the source of the explosive materials and the possible involvement of other people.
