Auraiya SP Sanjai Kakkar said two brothers, Maujilal and Ram Narayan, of Tidua village had a licence for manufacture and sale of firecrackers at a place outside the village. But they had stored the firecrackers at their home, where the incident took place. Both men are absconding. A case has been registered against them under the IPC and Explosives Act.

The incident took place at around 11 pm at Maujilal’s house, when his family members and some local children were reportedly packing the firecrackers. The explosion blew out the walls and roof of the house. The fire spread to the neighbouring houses owned by Maujilal’s brothers, Ram Narayan and Ram Avtar. Since firecrackers were stored in these houses as well, the fire sparked explosions there too.