ROURKELA: Two persons were killed in an explosion at a house in Bisradahar Lane under Udit Nagar police limits on Monday. One of the deceased was identified as businessman Ghamanlal Agarwal, while identity of the other person is yet to be ascertained.
Police said the explosion occurred in Agarwal’s house between 11 am and 11.30 am at a storeroom located in the backyard. Such was the impact that tin roof of the storeroom was blown away. Initially, locals believed that an LPG cylinder had exploded.
As many as 575 gelatin sticks and 375 detonators, which did not explode, were seized by police from the spot. The explosives are mostly used for explosion in mines.
Zone II DSP TK Jena said it appeared that Agarwal was illegally dealing in gelatin sticks and detonators.
The unidentified person could have been his supplier or buyer, he said, adding that further investigation is on.
The blast could have taken place due to excessive exposure of the explosives to heat.