Several feared dead after explosion at ‘illegal’ firecracker factory in Bengal

A large police force reached the spot after receiving the news of the blast. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

According to local sources, the house at Duttapukur in Barasat stored raw materials for cracker production without necessary permissions. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

Local people claimed at least four were killed in the explosion. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

“A few people are feared dead in an explosion in Duttapukur," a local police official said. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

He said that "all the inured" had been taken to the Barasat hospital for treatment. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

However, the police have not confirmed any deaths yet. "The number of deaths can’t be confirmed yet," the official said. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

The police official added that "a rescue operation is underway". (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

Nearby houses were also reportedly damaged in the high-intensity explosion. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

This is not the first time an illegal firework factory explosion has taken place in the North 24 Parganas district. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

On May 21, an explosion had occurred at an alleged illegal firework factory in Budge Budge in the same district. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari blamed the state government for the accident. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

He said that even though the government made claims about regulating the firecracker industry after the May 16 accident, it has made no progress. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

On May 16, nine people were killed in an explosion at a firework factory in the Khadikul village of Egra in East Medinipur. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

“It seems that it was merely a publicity stunt to diffuse the tension & public outrage at that time," said a part of the post by Adhikari. (Express photo by Partha Paul)