Ratlam gun shop explosion caught on CCTV:4 injured, over 50 firearms seized; youth buying gunpowder among injured

A powerful explosion rocked a gun shop in Ratlam on Monday afternoon (January 26), triggering panic in the densely populated area. The blast was so intense that people sitting in nearby shops fled, while those standing on the road abandoned a parked Magic vehicle and ran for safety. Two exclusive CCTV videos of the explosion have surfaced and are with Bhaskar Digital. The footage captures the terrifying moment of the blast and shows people running in all directions, highlighting the severity of the accident in a residential locality. Clothes burnt, chaos on the road Those present inside the arms shop rushed out to save their lives. The explosion left several people with severe burn injuries; their clothes were completely charred. In panic, injured persons were seen running on the road, with burnt clothes and shoes lying scattered at the site. In one of the videos, the shop owner and others are seen fleeing immediately after the blast. Another video shows injured customer Sandeep Patidar recording his burnt face while travelling in an auto to the hospital. This footage has also emerged exclusively with Bhaskar Digital. Welding work underway, sparks may have triggered blast The incident occurred when welding work was underway at the shop. The arms store had received a notice from the municipality as part of a city four-lane road project from Chandni Chowk to Bajna Bus Stand via Lakkarpitha. Several shops and houses had been marked for encroachment removal. According to preliminary information, the shop owner was shifting the shutter inwards following the notice. During this process, welding sparks are suspected to have fallen on a stock of gunpowder, leading to the explosion. Injured customer had come to buy gunpowder One of the injured, Sandeep Patidar, a resident of Titri village, holds a licensed firearm. He told family members that he had visited the shop two days earlier to buy gunpowder for cartridges but was asked to return later as it was unavailable at the time. On Monday around 4 pm, Sandeep was inside the shop along with the owner and two welders when the explosion occurred. All present sustained burn injuries to their faces, hands and clothes. After the blast, Sandeep ran to a nearby colour shop and requested to call his village. Locals later took him to a private hospital on College Road in an auto. His family subsequently shifted him to Indore for advanced treatment. Four injured, shop sealed The four injured have been identified as: All four were later referred to Indore for better medical care. Following the incident, the shop was sealed by the administration. Police seized more than 50 guns, along with empty cartridges and pellets found at the spot. Officials suspect that cartridge reloading work may also have been carried out at the premises. Neighbours recount terrifying moment Mahavir Bhargat, who runs a jewellery shop next to the arms store, said, “We were sitting inside when we heard a deafening explosion. Welding work was going on nearby. Suddenly, there was a blast followed by thick smoke. Customers ran out in panic. We tried to control the fire with water.” Local residents said the gun shop has existed for decades and is being run by the fourth generation of the family. “Nothing like this has ever happened before,” they said. Investigation underway, licence under scrutiny Senior officials including SP Amit Kumar, ASP Rakesh Khakha, CSP Satyendra Ghanghoria, and FSL officer Atul Mittal inspected the site. Multiple police stations deployed force to secure the area. SP Amit Kumar said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to verify the nature of the shop’s licence. “Welding rods have been found at the spot. All aspects, including how the fire started, are being examined. The firearms have been seized as a precaution,” he said. Mayor raises concern over residential safety Mayor Prahlad Patel also visited the site and expressed concern over hazardous work being carried out in residential areas. “Such gunpowder-related activities should not be conducted in populated localities. The police are probing the matter thoroughly,” he said. The exact cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed, though initial findings point towards welding sparks igniting gunpowder stored inside the shop.