20 injured in cracker explosion in Orissa

Bhubaneswar,Apr 21 (UNI) At least 20 people were injured, eleven of them critically, when cracker shops caught fire leading to a big explosion during a competition held near a temple in Asureswar in Cuttack district late last night.

Police said 12 seriouly injured people, including two children, were shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack with more than 60 per cent burns. SCB Hospital sources said the condition of eleven people injured in the mishap was very critical.

Eyewitnesses said during the cracker competition,a splinter fell on a cracker shop and caught fire leading to a series of explosions.

Thousands of people who had gathered to witness the annual cracker competition ran helter and skelter as the fire engulfed the area in no time.

The Cuttack Rural Police Superintendent had visited the spot for an on-the-spot investigation into the incident. No one has so far been arrested.

UNI DP PL RN1654