Jaipur: A powerful explosion ripped through a warehouse in Nagaur’s Badli area Thursday, killing two cousins working inside and scattering debris across the premises. The blast was so intense that their bodies were blown apart, while a towering column of smoke rose above the area and was visible from a distance.The explosion occurred around 9.40am when Mohammad Aamir Saurgar (28) and his cousin Mujid Saurgar (32) were inside the warehouse.ASP Jatin Jain told TOI that preliminary inquiries suggested a sudden spark had triggered the blast. Investigators are yet to establish whether it originated from a machine or resulted from mishandling of the material.The force of the explosion left the victims’ remains mangled beyond recognition, a senior police officer said. Parts of the factory were also reduced to debris, with explosive material believed to have been stored in large quantities inside the premises.The warehouse reportedly had licences and permits for manufacturing and storing firecrackers. However, police are examining the exact scope of these permissions and whether the activities being carried out there were covered by them.Preliminary information suggests that firecrackers were being manufactured at the warehouse. Police suspect some potassium nitrate was also being mixed in the firecrackers. Investigators are probing whether this activity was unauthorised and what triggered the spark that set off the explosion. The warehouse is reportedly owned by Mohammad Amin (50).The incident was followed by tension outside the premises. Around 90 minutes after the blast, a crowd gathered and created a ruckus. When police tried to disperse the gathering, some people allegedly scuffled with the cops, following which the police had to disperse the crowd. The police also said that they have summoned the owner of the unit to come with the documents and all the permissions.
