Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jul 18: At least five people lost their lives and nine others were injured after a massive explosion triggered a fire at an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Vastral area on Saturday, officials said.
The blast occurred at a factory located on Ramol-Gatrad Road, behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp, setting off a major rescue and firefighting operation. Authorities warned that the death toll could increase as search efforts continued into the evening.
According to officials, the explosion was so powerful that it was heard several kilometres away and caused extensive damage to the building, leaving parts of the structure collapsed and trapping workers beneath the debris.
Personnel from the nearby RAF camp were among the first responders, rushing to the site immediately after the explosion and rescuing several trapped individuals before fire brigade teams reached the location.
More than five fire engines were pressed into service to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters later brought the fire under control, while cooling operations continued to prevent any fresh outbreaks.
The injured were shifted to L.G. Hospital and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where several victims are being treated for burns and other serious injuries.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Sector-2) Jaipal Singh Rathore said that five deaths had been confirmed and eight to nine injured persons had been admitted to hospitals. He added that the fire had been contained and described the premises as a relatively small establishment.
Senior officials, including Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, officers of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Zone-8 Deputy Commissioner of Police Mayur Patil, and JCP Rathore, visited the site to monitor rescue and relief operations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the firecracker manufacturing unit was operating illegally. Police said the premises were allegedly being run by Mehul Dodiya, whose licence had reportedly been cancelled earlier. Despite this, manufacturing activities were allegedly continuing at the site.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and examine possible violations related to the illegal operation of the factory.
Officials said the identities of some victims were still being verified as rescue teams continued searching the damaged premises for anyone who might still be trapped beneath the debris.