Siwan: Four people have died and three others remain unaccounted for after a series of powerful explosions tore through a house storing firecrackers in Bihar’s Siwan district on Friday, October 23.

Rescue workers are facing difficulties reaching the affected premises as explosives continue to detonate intermittently, raising fears for those who may still be trapped beneath the debris.

The explosion occurred at the house-cum-firecracker unit of local resident Mohammad Amiruddin Mian, a firecracker trader. Preliminary information suggests that firecrackers stored inside the premises caught fire, setting off a chain of blasts that engulfed the property and spread panic through the densely populated neighbourhood.

Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Bharat Soni confirmed four fatalities, while saying that the whereabouts of three other family members reportedly present inside the house at the time of the incident were yet to be established.

According to the SP, the village head had informed authorities that seven family members were inside the house when the explosion occurred.

With four deaths confirmed, officials are working to determine what happened to the remaining three.

‘Four deaths have been confirmed. However, according to the village head, seven family members were inside the house. We are yet to ascertain the status of the remaining three. Explosions are continuing intermittently, which is hampering rescue efforts,’ Soni said.

The force of the explosions brought down the front portion of the house, scattering debris onto the adjoining road.

Blasts continued at intervals for nearly two hours, complicating emergency operations and leaving residents in the surrounding area gripped by fear.

Reports have also indicated that some bodies may have been severely mutilated in the explosions, making identification difficult.

A medical team has reached the site to verify the number of casualties, while a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is preparing to collect samples as part of the investigation.

‘Only after the medical team’s confirmation will we be able to provide an accurate count. Our FSL team has also arrived and will collect samples. We will be able to confirm further details after the examination,’ the SP said.

Fire and emergency services, police personnel, medical teams, electricity department officials and administrative authorities have been deployed at the site.

The affected area has been cordoned off, with officials coordinating with local public representatives as rescue and assessment work continues.

Given the quantity of explosives believed to be stored inside the premises and the danger posed by the continuing blasts, police have appealed to villagers to remain at least 200 metres away from the site.

Police to probe licence and safety compliance

The incident has raised questions about the storage of firecrackers at the premises, the validity of the required licences and compliance with safety regulations.

Police have said an FIR will be registered, and the investigation will examine the source of the firecrackers, the permissions held by the trader and any possible lapses.

Soni said it was too early to determine whether the operation had been running illegally. According to information provided by local residents, the family had held an old licence and had been involved in the firecracker business for approximately 20 years. Authorities will have to verify these claims as part of the investigation.

The SP also said police had previously directed Circle Officers (COs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) to verify businesses of this nature. The premises had reportedly been inspected during that exercise.

‘We will investigate whether there were any lapses in the verification process and action will be taken against anyone found responsible for any shortcomings,’ Soni said.

Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances that led to the fire, the property's storage arrangements, and whether all required safety measures were followed.

The final casualty count, the whereabouts of the three missing family members and the precise cause of the explosions remain unconfirmed.