South 24 Paragnas, 10 January (H.S.): A powerful explosion rocked a firecracker factory in Haral village of Champahati area in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday morning. At least four people were reported injured in the incident. Local residents immediately rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, the intensity of the explosion was so strong that several trees near the site were completely scorched. The explosion blew off the roof of the firecracker factory, and the entire building was severely damaged. A fire broke out in the factory after the explosion, and efforts to extinguish it are underway.

On information, the police and fire department teams rushed to the spot. As a precautionary measure, the entire area has been cordoned off and placed under tight security. Firefighters are working to bring the fire under control.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the firecracker factory where the explosion occurred was operating illegally. The police are investigating who is responsible for its operation. However, local residents are hesitant to speak openly about the matter. A local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that three consecutive explosions were heard and that the injured had suffered burns to their faces.

Currently, no official statement has been issued by the police administration regarding the incident. Notably, in December 2024, an explosion also occurred at an illegal firecracker factory in the Sardarpada area of Haral village in Champahati Gram Panchayat, injuring three people. This raises questions about whether the administration's monitoring was adequate after that incident.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey