November 04, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 22, 1428

HARIPUR, Nov 3: A girl was killed and seven other people were wounded when explosive material stored in a house went off here on Saturday morning. Two more blasts took place when workers started rescue operations.

The explosive material stocked for making firecrackers accidentally caught fire and exploded with a bang, Basharat Khan, one of the injured, told reporters in the hospital.

He said that the family of Mohammad Irshad, son of famous folk singer the late Master Hussain Bux, was living in the rented house located in Mohalla Asifabad.

According to Zulfiqar, owner of the house, the family used to make firecrackers for fish hunting and firework for marriage ceremonies.

The house was completely destroyed in the explosion. A nearby house was partially damaged.

The girl, identified as Anum Irshad, 6, daughter of Mohammad Irshad, was killed on the spot. Irshad’s wife Rukhsana, daughter Ishrat and son Afreedi were seriously injured. They were taken to the Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad.

Officials of the bomb disposal squad collected samples from the affected house for further investigation.

Police have arrested Mohammad Irshad and registered a case against him.