Residents Panic After Firecracker Plant Explosion Injures Five Workers

A firecracker manufacturing unit situated on the outskirts of Champahati in West Bengal blew up on Thursday, injuring five individuals. The incident triggered immediate panic among nearby residents, who reported a massive roar followed by thick smoke. Two victims, identified as 52‑year‑old PadmRani Naskar and Abbas Gazi, are receiving intensive care. First‑aid responders transported the injured to Baruiapur Hospital, and later, they were shifted to a better equipped hospital in Kolkata. Police have cordoned off the area, and a senior officer has taken charge of the investigation. Officials are probing whether the site was operating without proper licenses, as locals allege that fireworks were being assembled clandestinely. The explosion has heightened concerns about safety standards in small‑scale pyrotechnic workshops, prompting calls for stricter monitoring.