Seized firecracker stock explodes at Challapalli police station in Andhra; 4 cops injured, two critical

Vijayawada: Four police personnel, including a Sub-Inspector, were injured, two of them critically, after a cache of seized firecrackers exploded at the Challapalli Police Station in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district on Tuesday. The explosion damaged the station building and a police vehicle.

Explosion during inspection

The incident occurred when a police constable was reportedly examining the firecrackers stored on the station premises. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosives went off suddenly during the inspection, triggering panic in the surrounding area.

Injuries and hospitalisation

A Sub-Inspector and three constables sustained burn injuries in the blast.

They were immediately shifted to a hospital in Avanigadda, where two personnel are said to be in critical condition.

Property damage reported

The force of the explosion damaged parts of the police station building. A police vehicle parked within the premises was also partially destroyed in the incident.

Seized firecrackers stored at station

According to officials, the firecrackers had been seized during recent crackdowns on illegal manufacturing units and shops ahead of Diwali and were being stored at the station.

Circle Inspector KS Rao inspected the site soon after the incident to assess the situation and ascertain the cause of the blast. The District Superintendent of Police has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.

Safety measures likely

In the wake of the explosion, the police department is expected to issue fresh guidelines for the safe storage and disposal of seized firecrackers at stations to prevent such incidents in future.