2 killed, 7 injured in fire, explosions at firecracker godown in Maharashtra's Hingoli

Two people were killed and seven others injured after a massive fire broke out at a firecracker godown in Hingoli district of Maharashtra on Monday night, an official said.

The incident took place around 8 pm in Marwadi Galli, a densely populated residential area, he said.

The fire quickly spread through the warehouse owned by Gopal Bastwar. A civic fire brigade vehicle deployed to control the blaze was also gutted in the fire, the official said.

The flames and intermittent explosions caused by the firecrackers triggered panic among residents in the area, he said.

Several houses were damaged, along with two-wheelers parked along the lane, the official said.

“Two persons died in the incident,” he said, adding that their identities could not yet be confirmed because the bodies were badly charred.

The official said firefighting operations were hampered by the area's congestion, as it is located in the older part of Hingoli town and has narrow lanes. A crowd of onlookers also created difficulties for emergency responders.

Power supply to the area has been disconnected, while efforts to bring the fire under control were still underway, he added.

The cause of the fire will be determined after the firefighting operation is completed, the official said.  (with inputs from PTI)