India, June 12 -- A day after a massive fire ripped through a firecracker shop-cum-godown in Bhopal's Halalpura area, thick smoke, charred debris and the lingering smell of gunpowder continued to dominate the scene as firefighters maintained a round-the-clock vigil on Friday.

Authorities have stationed three fire tenders at the site to prevent fresh flare-ups, as unexploded firecrackers buried beneath the debris could still ignite due to residual heat. The situation remains particularly sensitive because two petrol pumps are located just a few metres from the gutted structure.

The blaze erupted around 3:30 am on Bairagarh Road and triggered a series of powerful explosions, sending flames soaring nearly 80 feet into the air. Despite the ...