Bhubaneswar, 20 February (H.S.): Two members of a family, a mother and her daughter, died on Friday from severe burn injuries sustained during a powerful explosion that shook a residential house in the Jagatpur area of Cuttack district on Thursday, raising renewed concerns over illegal firecracker manufacturing in residential neighborhoods.

The victims, who were critically injured in the blast at Mahajanpur under Jagatpur, were undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack, where doctors later declared them dead. Another child from the household remains in critical condition and continues to receive intensive medical care, hospital sources confirmed.

According to preliminary reports, the explosion occurred inside the residence while firecrackers were allegedly being assembled illegally on the premises. Three family members – the wife, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter of the house owner – sustained severe burns and were immediately rushed to SCBMCH for treatment. Two of them subsequently succumbed to their injuries.

Early investigations indicate that Govinda Nayak, a local resident, had reportedly stored firecrackers at his home. The blast is believed to have occurred during the assembly of additional firecrackers inside the house. The explosion gutted two rooms, caused significant structural damage, and sparked panic among nearby residents.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda