Cuttack, Ap 14: A 65-year-old man was critically injured when firecrackers exploded inside his shop at Nischintakoili Bazaar in Cuttack district late Monday night.

The injured man, identified as Braj Kishore Prushti of the Sarpada area in Nishchintakoili, had been living in a rented shop at the bazaar for several years. The explosion occurred around 11:30 pm while he was inside the shop.

Police said the shop contained a large number of firecrackers, which came into contact with fire, triggering the blast. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The loud explosion startled nearby residents and shopkeepers, who rushed to the scene. Locals, along with police, rescued Prushti and initially admitted him to Nishchintakoili Community Health Center. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Cuttack General Hospital in critical condition.

Nishchintakoili police have reached the site and launched a probe into the incident.