Five injured in firecracker unit blast in West Bengal

At least five people, including a woman, were injured in a blast at a firecracker unit in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Thursday, police said.
The explosion took place at the factory in Champahati area around noon, following which a fire broke out at the unit, a senior officer said.

Two of the injured were stated to be in critical condition, while three others were treated at a nearby hospital and later discharged, officials said. A probe has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the blast and verify whether the unit had the requisite licence and was following safety norms, the officer said.

According to locals, firecracker-making activities were being carried out in a makeshift structure on a plot some distance from a residential area when the explosion took place.
The exact cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

Tension gripped the area after residents protested, alleging that fire brigade personnel reached the spot late. A large police contingent was deployed to control the situation. Additional SP of Baruipur Police District Atish Biswas was also present at the site.

The blast left the structure largely destroyed, with its tin roof and other parts collapsing. Burnt bamboo and other material lay scattered around the site. Trees in the surrounding area were also damaged.

“We are investigating the circumstances leading to the explosion and are also verifying whether firecrackers were being manufactured there illegally. A detailed investigation has been initiated,” the policeman said.

Police from Baruipur police station are examining whether the unit had the necessary permissions and whether safety regulations were being followed.
Incidentally, Wednesday’s incident comes months after a blast at a firecracker unit in Champahati in January claimed one life.

Several illegal firecracker-making units across South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur and Nadia districts have witnessed blasts in the past.