The police identified the victims as Tania Mistry (14), Ishaan Dhara (6) and Mumtaz Khatun (8).

According to an officer, some local residents, including children, were bursting firecrackers in ward number 27 of Uluberia municipality when the sparks ignited more firecrackers kept nearby, causing a blaze that led to a cylinder explosion in an adjacent house and trapped
the family members – including three children – who were inside.

The three were soon taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

According to sources, two other children were seriously injured in the fire and are under treatment at Uluberia Medical College and Hospital.

The house belonged to one Kajal Sheikh and one of the three children belonged to his family while others were neighbours.

Two fire tenders reached the spot and soon controlled the blaze, a fire brigade official said.

West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident, saying, “It is tragic. I will visit the area.”

Union Minister of State for Education and Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar demanded a “thorough investigation” into the incident.

He said, “This incident is heartbreaking amid Diwali festivities. In this situation, I am standing with their bereaved parents and family members. I humbly request the administration to stand with the families. At the same time, I demand a full investigation from the
administration.”

A pall of gloom descended in the town following the incident numbing Diwali festivities as local Kali Puja organisers turned off the illuminations.

— WITH PTI