Bhubaneswar: Diwali celebrations turned tragic at several places in Odisha as a minor boy was killed and over 100 sustained injuries amid a series of firecracker-related mishaps in the state on Sunday night.
In Bhubaneswar, the festivities were marred as fire incidents took place at a government office, electricity wires and a vehicle in different parts of the cit.
According to sources, a government sericulture office at Sikharchandi caught fire amid bursting of crackers in the vicinity. The incident occurred reportedly after sparks from bursting firecrackers triggered the blaze.
On being informed, two teams from Chandrasekharpur Fire Station rushed to the spot and launched operations to douse the flames. After a prolonged effort, firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.
No one was reported to have been injured in the incident.
This apart, two other fire-related incidents were reported in Bhubaneswar during Diwali celebrations. In Bharatpur’s Durga Madhab Nagar, sparks from firecrackers reportedly fell on electrical wires connected to a power pole, triggering a fire.
The wires on the power line were seen burning fiercely, creating panic among locals. Firefighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.
In another incident, a traveller vehicle parked at BDA Colony in Chandrasekharpur caught fire after sparks from firecrackers reportedly fell on it. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and gutted within minutes.
In yet another firecracker-related accident, a 14-year-old boy died and many others sustained injuries in Raurkela. The boy lost his life in a firecracker explosion during celebrations at Kaushalya Nagar under Raghunathpali police station limit.
Sources said the boy, identified as Chinmay, and his sister were invited to their tuition teacher’s house on the occasion of Diwali. While the siblings were walking towards the teacher’s house in the evening, a firecracker put inside a glass bottle exploded on the road.
Glass pieces from the bottle flew in all directions and struck both siblings, leaving Chinmay critically injured. He was immediately rushed to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), where doctors declared him dead. Police initiated an investigation into the incident.
In Bhubaneswar, more than 40 people were injured and admitted to Capital Hospital. Several victims suffered serious injuries to their hands and legs, while others sustained burns due to firecracker explosions. Special medical teams were deployed at the hospital to provide treatment to the injured.
Meanwhile, eight people, including women, were injured in separate firecracker accidents in Soro Municipality and different rural areas of Baleshwar district. Most of the victims sustained hand injuries after firecrackers exploded. All of them were discharged after receiving treatment at Soro Hospital.
In Nayagada, a young woman suffered severe burn injuries after catching fire from a traditional lamp at Raja Baghicha Sahi. She was initially treated at Nayagarh Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
In Kataka, more than 40 people were injured in separate firecracker-related accidents and admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
In yet another serious incident in Kalahandi district, a young man suffered devastating injuries to his right hand after a firecracker exploded while he was holding it during Diwali celebrations. The injured man has been identified as Pintu Patel of Godabhanja village under Dharmagarh police station in the district.
According to reports, Pintu was holding a bomb when it suddenly exploded, severely damaging his right hand.
He was initially admitted to Dharmagarh Sub-Divisional Hospital and later referred to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bhawanipatna for further treatment.
Meanwhile, more than 11 people injured in separate firecracker accidents were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at Dharmagarh Sub-Divisional Hospital. Two other people injured in firecracker explosions were also treated at Bhawanipatna District Headquarters Hospital.
In Puri, at least seven persons were grievously injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a house during firecracker bursting in Baliapanda area of the pilgrim town. The injured were immediately rushed to a health centre and later shifter to Kataka for treatment.
On being informed, fire service and police teams rushed to the site and the blaze was controlled. Police have initiated a probe into the incident.
