One killed in Punjab cracker warehouse blast, probe ordered

Chandigarh, March 27 (IANS) A teenaged girl was killed and three others were injured following a powerful blast in a firecracker godown in Punjab's Jalandhar city, police said on Tuesday.

The blast had occurred in the warehouse, located in Riyazpura, Central Town in Jalandhar, 160 km from here, around 4 pm.

"Four young workers were buried under the debris of the warehouse's roof that collapsed by the impact of the blast. Expressing grief over the tragic mishap, the Chief Minister directed local authorities to extend all possible help to the victims' families," a Punjab government spokesperson said.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Jalandhar Police Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the blast.

He also announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 1 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased, Radhika, and Rs 25,000 each for the three injured, besides directing the administration to provide free medical treatment for them.

The injured were identified as Deepika, Karan and Sunil and their condition was stated to be serious.

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