Falna (Pali): A massive fire broke out at a firecracker shop near Swarn Mandir in Falna town of Rajasthan's Pali district at around 10 pm on Sunday, gutting three shops and killing two people, according to an India Today report of Diwali-night fire incidents across the country. One person sustained burn injuries, while a search was under way for three others who were reported missing.

Source: India Today via News89

According to preliminary information in the report, the fire started after sparks from firecrackers being burst on the road reached the firecracker shop in the market. A nearby battery shop and a cutlery shop were also gutted, and two scooters, a motorcycle and a bicycle were burnt in the blaze.

Source: India Today via News89

2Reported killed
1Injured
3Reported missing
3Shops gutted

Reports said accommodation was located above the shop and three people were feared trapped there. Fire tenders were called in from Bali, Sanderao and Rawla, the injured person was taken to a hospital in Pali for treatment, and firefighting efforts continued until at least 2.30 am.

Source: India Today via News89

Local reporting from Falna on Sunday night said Bali MLA Pushpendra Singh Ranawat directed officials to rush fire vehicles from across the area and 108 ambulances to the spot, with the ADM, the Bali sub-divisional officer and the block medical officer involved in the response. At that early stage, local reporting said no casualty had been officially confirmed and that the figures would be updated as confirmation came in.

Source: Pali Sirohi Online

Aaj Tak's report on the Pali fire also said firecracker sparks had taken two lives and that three shops, including the battery and cutlery shops, were gutted. The exact cause of the fire and the final assessment of damage and casualties were still awaited as the search and firefighting operation continued; the spark account remains preliminary.

Source: Aaj Tak (video report)