Kalyani firecracker factory owner arrested after explosion kills 4

Khokon Biswas, the owner of the firecracker factory in the Rathtala area of Kalyani, has been arrested after a powerful explosion at the unit killed four people and left one critically injured on Friday. The blast occurred around 1 PM, completely destroying the factory and triggering a fire that took firefighters over an hour to control. Upon arrival, emergency responders found four charred bodies, while another individual was rushed to JNM Hospital in Kalyani for treatment. The deceased included two men and two women. Biswas was taken into custody on Friday evening, and on Saturday, he was presented before Kalyani Court, where police sought his remand for further investigation.

Authorities confirmed that the firecracker factory was operating without necessary permits in a densely populated residential area. A forensic team has collected samples from the site to determine the exact cause of the explosion, though initial reports suggest a possible short circuit. Local police have launched an investigation into the factory’s operations, including how it functioned without clearance and whether any officials were aware of its activities. Officials are also examining if raw materials stored at the site contributed to the severity of the blast. The district administration is reviewing firecracker units in the region to identify unauthorized factories.

The incident is part of a series of similar explosions in West Bengal in recent years. In May 2023, an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra, East Midnapore, killed 11 people, while blasts have also occurred in Champahati and Diamond Harbour. The firecracker industry in West Bengal employs over 3.1 lakh people, with an estimated annual turnover of Rs. 8,000 crore, but only 232 factories in the state are officially registered. Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings.