Meerut (UP) | Four workers were killed on Tuesday while five others injured when a portion of a building, where detergent was being manufactured, collapsed following an explosion, police said.
Some machines used in manufacturing of detergent were found at the spot in Lohia Nagar locality, which indicate that either detergent was manufactured in the house or its packaging was being done here, District Magistrate Deepak Meena told reporters here.
"All the injured persons were taken to a medical college, where four persons succumbed to their injuries," he said.
Asked whether firecrackers were being manufactured in the building, the DM said, "I have already said in clear terms that no firecracker was manufactured here." It was a godown where detergent was being made and there was some machinery related to it, he said.
"Some people living in the vicinity were also injured. A few passersby and two children were also injured. All of them are out of danger," the DM said.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Rohit Singh Sajwan said the incident took place in a double-storey building.
"Detergent was being manufactured in the ground floor of the building, where the blast took place and the roof of the building collapsed. Five persons came under the debris of the building," Sajwan said.
The SSP also said that chemicals used in manufacturing of detergent have been recovered from the spot.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
In a post on X in Hindi, the CM's office said, "The chief minister has instructed the concerned district administration officials to reach the spot and speed up the relief work and to immediately take the injured to hospital and provide them proper treatment."
