Kolkata, Jan 10 (PTI) Four people were seriously injured in a blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, police said.
The explosion occurred around 1 pm at the factory in Champahati and caused severe damage to the facility and adjacent houses, a senior officer of the Baruipur Police District said.
Three of the four injured have been identified as Gaur Gangopadhyay, Kishan Mondal and Rahul Mondal, while the identity of the other is yet to be confirmed, he said.
“They suffered burn injuries and were immediately admitted to hospitals in Baruipur and Kolkata for treatment,” the officer said.
Several fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire caused by the explosion, he said.
Locals claimed that the blast was deafening and so severe that the asbestos roof of the factory was blown off.
“The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. A probe has been initiated,” the officer said, adding that samples from the site were collected for forensic examinations.
A preliminary investigation suggests that mishandling of explosive materials by unskilled workers might have triggered the blast, he said.
The firecrackers were reportedly being manufactured for wedding purposes, the officer added.
An explosion had occurred at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Champahati in December 2024, creating panic among locals. PTI SCH BDC BDC
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