Daijiworld Media etwork - Ranchi
Ranchi, Mar 10: A devastating fire at a firecracker shop in the Godarmana market of Garhwa district, Jharkhand, claimed the lives of five people, including two children, on Monday at around 11:30 a.m. The victims have been identified as Kush Kumar Gupta, Ajit Kumar Kesari, Sushila Kerketta, Ayush Kumar Kesari, and Piyush Kumar Kesari.
Reports indicate that Kush Kumar Gupta owned a grocery and firecracker shop in the market, with two storage warehouses behind it. The fire erupted suddenly, sparking an explosion that caused the shop's shutter to slam shut, trapping several individuals inside and preventing their escape.
Upon hearing the explosion, locals rushed to the scene and attempted to extinguish the flames using water and buckets. Despite their efforts, the fire had already consumed the entire shop.
In a desperate bid to rescue those trapped, the crowd broke through a wall. Unfortunately, the five victims had already died from suffocation. They were transported to a nearby hospital where they were declared dead. Among the deceased, Ayush and Piyush, both brothers, had visited the shop to buy firecrackers. Ajit Kumar Kesari, from Nauka village, was there to purchase goods, while Sushila Kerketta, from Barwahi village, worked at the shop.
By the time the fire brigade arrived from the district headquarters, the shop had been completely reduced to ashes. A motorcycle parked outside was also destroyed in the blaze.
Senior district officials and Ranka police arrived at the site to assess the damage and investigate the incident.
Both Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The Governor called the incident "heart-wrenching" and extended his condolences to the families of the victims, while praying for the quick recovery of the injured. Chief Minister Soren also expressed his grief, offering prayers for the departed souls and strength for the grieving families. He assured that an investigation was underway into the incident.