2 injured in blast at illegal firecracker unit in Champahati
Times of India | 21 August 2026
Kolkata: Two people, including a woman, were injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Champahati on Thursday morning. Both suffered burns and were admitted to a local hospital. The blast destroyed the makeshift unit and caused panic in the area.
According to residents, the unit was set up in a room behind bushes in an open field, away from residential houses. Workers were making firecrackers when an explosion occurred, followed by a fire that engulfed the structure.
The injured were identified as Jharna Naskar and another worker. Jharna, wife of the unit owner, suffered burns on her hands, legs, face and body.
Police and fire personnel reached the spot after being alerted. Officers are investigating the cause of the blast and verifying whether the operation lacked required legal permits, safety equipment or fire-prevention measures.
Additional superintendent of police Atish Biswas said preliminary investigations point to Bapi Naskar operating the unit illegally. Workers were allegedly told they were being hired for fish farming. Naskar is on the run, and police are searching for him.