Two Dead, Seven Injured as Fire Engulfs Firecracker Godown in Hingoli

Two people were killed and seven others injured after a fire broke out at a firecracker storage facility in a crowded residential locality of Hingoli town on Monday night, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 8 pm in Marwadi Galli, an old and densely built-up part of the town. The warehouse, reportedly owned by Gopal Bastwar, quickly caught fire, sending flames and smoke across the neighbourhood.

The presence of a large quantity of firecrackers led to a series of explosions, causing panic among residents and complicating efforts to tackle the blaze. A fire brigade vehicle that had reached the spot to assist in the operation was also destroyed in the fire, an official said.

Two persons died in the incident, while seven others sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical treatment. Officials were working to establish the identities of the deceased and assess the condition of those injured.

The intense fire also damaged nearby houses and two-wheelers parked along the narrow lane. Several residents rushed out of their homes as explosions continued from the warehouse.

Firefighters faced difficulties in reaching the affected structure because of the narrow lanes and congestion in the old part of Hingoli. The presence of a large number of curious onlookers further restricted the movement of emergency vehicles and personnel.

As a safety measure, authorities cut off electricity supply to the area while firefighting teams continued their efforts to contain the flames and prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring structures. The operation was continuing as emergency personnel worked to cool the affected premises and assess the damage.

Officials said the exact cause of the fire would be established after the firefighting operation was completed. Authorities were also assessing the full extent of property damage and gathering further details about the incident.

The fire and subsequent explosions created considerable alarm in the locality, prompting residents to move away from the affected area as emergency services responded.