Ongole, Aug 6th: Two persons died and four other were injured in an explosion at a crackers unit in Ongole on Thursday. The incident occurred at Satyam crackers company situated on the Guntur Road near National Highway 5 when seven workers of the unit were working at 12 noon. Sources said that the building of the unit collapsed following a powerful explosion. Two persons Sk. Faridabi, 55 of Ongole town and Siva, 30 of Rajahmundry were burned alive in the blast. Four of the other workers received injuries and were rushed to RIMS for treatment.

The ASP, Mr. V. Satyanarayana called for fire fighting services. The Ongole fire services rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control. Due to water shortage, officials brought fire fighting vehicles from Tangutur which succeeded in controlling the fire. People residing nearby said that the unit has been operating for the last 30 years, but no mishap has occurred till now. They demanded that the authorities shift such unit from residential area.

The Ongole tahsildhar, Mr. T. Chiranjeevi, with his staff rushed to the spot and enquired about the explosion. Police registered a case and investigation was underway. The Ongole MP, Mr. Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy consoled the families of workers who died in the explosion.