India: Five, including two children, die in firecracker shop blaze in Jharkhand’s Garhwa

Ranchi: At least five people, including two children, lost their lives in a massive fire that broke out at a firecracker shop in the Godarmana market of Garhwa district, Jharkhand, on Monday around 11:30am.

The deceased have been identified as Kush Kumar Gupta, Ajit Kumar Kesari, Sushila Kerketta, Ayush Kumar Kesari, and Piyush Kumar Kesari.

Sources say Kush Kumar Gupta, who ran a grocery and firecracker shop, had two warehouses located behind it.

The fire began suddenly, triggering an explosion that closed the shop’s shutter and trapped the victims inside, preventing their escape.

Locals rushed to the scene but despite efforts to douse the flames with buckets and water tankers, the fire quickly spread. In a desperate rescue attempt, people broke through a wall to reach the trapped victims, but all five had already succumbed to suffocation.

Among the victims, Ayush and Piyush were brothers who had gone to the shop to buy firecrackers.

Ajit Kumar Kesari, a resident of Nauka village, and Sushila Kerketta, who worked at the shop, were also present at the time of the incident.

By the time the fire brigade arrived, the shop had been reduced to ashes, and a motorcycle parked outside was also destroyed.

District officials and personnel from Ranka police station reached the scene to assess the situation.

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 condolences to the families of the victims. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also expressed grief and offered prayers for the departed souls and strength for the grieving families. The district administration is investigating the incident.