Kochi: One person died and several others were injured in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Varapuzha in Ernakulam district on Tuesday. The blast  was so strong that the natives initially thought it was an earthquake.

The house in which the unit was located has been completely destroyed. Trees in the locality were burned. The natives could not rush for help immediately after the blast since the area was clouded with smoke.

Though the fire force says that the situation is under control, small explosions are still happening. Around ten units of the fire force are on site.

The body recovered from the spot is completely charred. District collector Renu Raj said that six people were hospitalised due to injuries. Four of them are in critical condition and one is undergoing surgery.

The unit was functioning in a highly populated residential area. It is unclear at this moment if it had a licence. It was run by two siblings. They lived in a nearby house. A few migrant workers also worked there.