The investigation into Monday’s powerful explosion in Malwan in Fatehpur has widened after police recovered burst batteries, around 1 kg of carbide and material used in making firecrackers from the debris of a two-storey house.
A woman was injured, while Suresh is reported to be in serious condition. Police are examining whether the blast resulted from a combination of LPG, carbide, a battery and explosive material used in making firecrackers. However, police have not reached a definite conclusion yet. Police recovered the material during debris-clearing operations at the house of fruit trader Suresh Gupta. The second-floor kitchen, where LPG cylinders are believed to have been kept, is yet to be examined. Three batteries were recovered, two of them in a burst condition. However, they were found on the ground floor and their purpose or role in the explosion is not yet clear. Five people were killed in the explosion. It is not clear whether Alok was related to Suresh. The new findings are now being examined alongside that theory.
Around 80% of the debris has been removed so far. They were identified as Suresh Gupta’s son, three of his nephews and Alok Gupta, 25, who lived with the family.
Police said findings from the kitchen would be incorporated into the investigation once the remaining debris is cleared. The batteries were part of a solar-panel system, according to police.
Police had earlier suspected that a gas leak and explosion involving two of the four LPG cylinders in the house may have caused the blast.
