25 injured as shop catches fires in Uttar Pradesh

The fire late Wednesday engulfed the building material shop in Nanpara, where drums of petrol, kerosene and diesel were stored illegally.

"All the 25 people who received burns are being treated at a community health centre and the district hospital. The condition of 15 is stated to be serious," police inspector S.R. Suman told reporters Thursday in Bahraich, some 130 km from Lucknow.

"The injured include employees of the shop and other locals who initially tried to douse the fire before the arrival of firefighting officials," he added. According to police, the shop belongs to one Yonus, who is absconding after the incident.

"Investigations reveal besides supplying construction material like cement, iron bars and other items, Yonus was illegally selling diesel, kerosene oil and petrol. Four drums of oil were there at the time of the incident," he added.

Police said a candle that was lit by some employees at the shop caused the fire when it came in contact with an oil drum.