Kolkata: A massive explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including three children, on Monday night.

According to initial reports, the explosion occurred around 10 pm at the residence of Chandranath Banik, where the illicit firecracker manufacturing unit was operating. The loud blast alerted local residents, who rushed to the scene only to find the entire house engulfed in flames.

Locals immediately began efforts to douse the fire before a large police contingent from the nearby Dholahat police station, along with personnel from the state fire services, arrived to assist in firefighting operations. 

Authorities have so far recovered six charred bodies, including those of three children. Residents fear the death toll could rise as full-scale rescue operations have not yet begun.

The local Trinamool Congress legislator from the Patharpratima Assembly constituency, Samir Jana, rushed to the spot and was seen supervising the simultaneous fire-fighting and rescue cooperation. He also confirmed that as per the information available to him, six charred bodies have been recovered from the house, which was engulfed in flames.

West Bengal has witnessed multiple fatal explosions at illegal firecracker factories in recent years. In February this year, four persons were killed and several others were injured following a blast at a firecracker factory at Kalyani in Nadia district of West Bengal.

In 2023, as many as nine persons were killed in a similar blast at an illegal firecracker factory at Egra in East Midnapore district. There were similar blasts at Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas districts during the last couple of years, killing several people.

Every time after the blasts, the administration warns of strong actions against such illegal firecracker entities. Police raids continue for some time and fade away soon.

IANS