‘Firecrackers’ were stored at A.P. police station damaged in blast

Handling of ‘locally-made firecrackers’ might have caused the blast at Challapalli police station in Krishna district on Tuesday, wherein five police personnel were injuried.

According to the Challapalli police, a team had seized the firecrackers that was illegally manufactured at a house during a drive a few months ago. After producing the stock in court, the police kept the crackers in a room on the police station premises.

“A few days ago, a trader bought the firecrackers in an auction,” a police officer told The Hindu on Wednesday (April 1 ), seeking anonymity. The police, however, are tight-lipped as to when the crackers were seized and how much.

On Tuesday, when police personnel were trying to shift carton boxes packed with firecrackers, a few boxes tore; the crackers fell out and exploded, according to sources. Five police personnel, including Challapalli Sub-Inspector Durga Anjaneyulu, suffered injuries. The station building was also partly damaged. Forensic officials visited the blast site and collected samples.

“The Fire Serivices Department was not alerted regarding the storage or shifting of firecrackers,” said an official from the Fire Services Department on condition of anonymity.

Challapalli Circle Inspector K. Eshwara Rao said a case has been registered. “A detailed investigation is on to ascertains the reasons of the blast,” said Krishna District Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) V.V. Naidu.