1 killed, 3 injured in blast in firecracker godown

 A blast in a firecracker godown in Riyazpura in Jalandhar today killed one person and injured three, police said.

Four workers were buried under the debris in the godown, the police said, adding one body was retrieved from the debris and three others seriously injured were hospitalised.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed Jalandhar Police Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the blast in the firecracker godown.

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

Singh also directed local authorities to extend all possible help to the victims' families.

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