Uttarakhand: Massive fire in cracker stalls, 1 dead

Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), Oct 29: One person was killed and many others were injured as a massive fire engulfed as many as 193 cracker stalls in Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand on Tuesday, Oct 28.

The tragedy struck when a sudden fire broke out in a cracker stall, and soon spread and engulfed the nearby stalls as well. Many people had gathered to purchase crackers at the Gandhi Maidan area of the region, when the fire started. A 50-year-old man was charred to death while many others were injured while trying to escape.

At least five fire tenders were rushed to douse the fire, which also engulfed the vehicles parked nearby.

Udham Singh Nagar SSP Deepak Jyoti said: "A 50-year-old man was burnt to death as he could not escape because of some problem in his leg."

The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident. The local district Magistrate D. Shandilya said: "We are conducting a survey here and have also ordered an investigation into the incident. We will submit a report so that we can start the formalities for providing compensation to the victims. The reason of the fire will be ascertained and further action will be taken after that."

ANI