Kolkatta, January 10 – A severe explosion at a firecracker factory in the Champahati area of South 24 Parganas district left four individuals seriously injured on Saturday. According to police reports, one of the injured is in critical condition and has been transferred to a hospital in Kolkata for advanced treatment.
The incident occurred in the Haral village, falling under the jurisdiction of the Baruipur police station. This is not the first such incident; a similar explosion took place in the same village’s Sardar Para area nearly a year ago. Fire engines were promptly dispatched to the scene to extinguish the flames following the explosion.
Local sources indicated that firecrackers were being manufactured at the site when the blast occurred, catching several workers off-guard. The force of the explosion was so intense that a portion of the building collapsed, and a nearby large tree was engulfed in flames.
Baruipur police were immediately alerted, and officers arrived promptly at the scene. The injured were taken to Baruipur Super Specialty Hospital for medical attention.
Residents claim that the explosion originated from the home of firecracker trader Pintu Mandal, whose residence was completely destroyed by the resulting fire. Pintu, along with Shubhakari Sardar and Bhakti Sardar, suffered burns in the incident, and another individual was also injured.
It has come to light that Pintu had stored unsold firecrackers at his home following the Kali Puja last year.
Authorities from the police and fire department are currently investigating the causes of the explosion. Additional Police Superintendent Rupantar Sengupta of Baruipur stated, “We received a report of an explosion at a firecracker factory in the Champahati-Haral area on Saturday morning. Police have arrived at the scene, and the injured individuals have been transported to the hospital. An investigation into the causes of the explosion has commenced.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community. A previous explosion occurred on December 28, 2024, in the same area, caused by firecrackers stored in a home. That incident completely destroyed the house and left three individuals, including a woman, severely burned.