Seven killed in ravaging fire due to blast inside gun shop in Wokha

Principal Correspondent Kohima, February 24 In a tragic incident, seven persons, including two infants and an old woman, were killed while another 20 people sustained serious injuries with many of them in critical conditions when a powerful explosion occurred that had subsequently caused to raze four houses to ashes. The blast occurred inside a gun shop at Wokha Town at around 11:30 am on Tuesday. The cause of the blast is not known till the filing of this report. There have been conflicting reports regarding the incident. Though officially not confirmed, sources said that two unknown persons hurled ‘something’ inside the shop after which a huge explosion occurred. However, police sources said the explosion is believed to be an accidental one, either from a bunch of gelatin sticks or from other type of explosives which might have been kept inside a licensed arms shop about 200 meters before reaching Wokha town traffic point. Sources said that as the blast was powerful, the fire engulfed the adjoining shops, including a pharmacy and general store with a godown and some residential ‘kutcha’ houses. Four local people, including a four months old girl child, five years old boy, their granny and a woman along with three male non-locals were killed in the incident, police said, adding that 20 other people, including men and women, sustained serious and minor injuries. The injured are being treated in the local hospital, sources added. Sources added that properties worth one crore of rupees were also damaged in the inferno. Sources said that as the fire engulfed the adjoining buildings, bursting of gas cylinders ravaged the fire despite the quick action of fire fighters from Fire and Emergency Services. Security forces and neighbours too joined to douse the fire which was brought under control almost after five hours of rigorous fire-fight. Some of the police personnel and fire fighters also sustained injuries while trying to douse the inferno, sources said. Police sources also revealed that a bomb squad has reached Wokha and they are trying to find out the actual cause of the blast.