A massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road in Ahmedabad on Saturday, 19 July, killed nine people — including three children — and left six others seriously injured, according to the Gujarat Police investigation. The unit, operating as New Gujarat Fire Works on Survey No. 629/1/2/3 in Vastral village, was allegedly running without a valid licence, fire safety approval, or any mandatory permissions at the time of the blast.

How the Blast Unfolded

The explosion struck at approximately 3:45 p.m. near a canal behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp, within the jurisdiction of Ramol Police Station. The force of the blast was heard up to five kilometres away, flattening manufacturing sheds, shattering windows at neighbouring industrial units, and disabling CCTV cameras at a fabrication factory roughly 500 metres away across the canal.

RAF personnel stationed nearby were among the first on the scene, beginning rescue operations before fire brigade teams arrived. Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) deployed a Mini Fighter, two 20-kilolitre water bowsers, two Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and an ambulance. The blaze was eventually brought under control, after which cooling operations continued as forensic experts examined the site.

The severity of the explosion made identification of several victims difficult. Nine victims were taken to L.G. Hospital — four were declared dead on arrival, while four others, who had sustained approximately 95 per cent burns, later succumbed during treatment. Six people were taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where one person died; five remain under treatment in the Burns Ward of the Trauma Centre. One injured woman at L.G. Hospital is reported to be stable.

The deceased were identified as Ramila Charel, Rinku Charel, Shivani Charel, Ravina Charel, and Viral Charel, all residents of Itadi village in Dahod district's Sanjeli taluka; Usha Damor of Malekpur village in Singvad taluka, Dahod district; Savita Damor; Asrarali Saiyed of Kapadvanj; and Asaruddin Kazi of Bhalej in Anand district. Those undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital include Ajay Damor, Payal Damor, Bharat Charel, Suresh Charel, and Govind Damor, from Dahod and Panchmahal districts.

A Decade of Regulatory Failures

Police investigations have laid bare a troubling regulatory history stretching back more than a decade. A licence was first issued on 1 October 2013 in the name of Ramila Dodia for a firecracker manufacturing unit at the same Vastral location. Less than a year later, on 30 July 2014, a blast at the same site claimed one life — that of a 14-year-old child labourer named Vijay Chunara, according to family members. A criminal case was registered by Ramol Police under the Indian Penal Code in connection with that incident. Family members of the 2014 victim alleged that the factory resumed operations within two months of that accident.

On 4 August 2020, a fresh licence for the unit was obtained in the name of Ramila's son, Mehul Dodia. The licence was periodically renewed and remained valid until 4 March 2026. Following a firecracker factory blast in Deesa last year, state-wide inspections were carried out. The Vastral unit was found to have construction that did not conform to its approved plan, leading to a recommendation for licence cancellation. A subsequent inspection and site panchnama on 23 March this year again recommended cancellation. The factory was found closed during periodic inspections thereafter.

Police now allege that the operators resumed manufacturing approximately 10 to 15 days before the latest explosion, reportedly exploiting the heavy deployment of police personnel for Rath Yatra security arrangements. Firecrackers were allegedly being produced without any valid licence, fire safety approval, or other mandatory permissions.

What Investigators Found at the Site

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut said preliminary investigation indicates that sparks generated during the filling of firecrackers inside two or three small structures triggered the explosion. Workers employed at the factory had been brought from Sanjeli in Dahod district and were engaged to manufacture firecrackers after the unit received orders for the upcoming Ganesh festival, he added.

'Investigators found widespread violations at the site. Even if a licence had been valid, only 15 kilograms of explosives could legally have been stored, whereas officials found numerous sacks containing quantities far exceeding that limit. The factory had no permission whatsoever to operate,' Gahlaut said. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and explosives experts collected evidence and samples immediately after the incident.

Notably, police also learnt that a similar firecracker manufacturing unit linked to accused Sadiq Saiyed in Kheda district had also witnessed a recent blast, although no fatalities were reportedly recorded there.

Arrests, FIR, and the Crackdown

Ramol Police registered an FIR against Ramila Dodia, Mehul Dodia, and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed under Sections 105, 287, 288 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 5(a) and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act, and Section 9(b) of the Explosives Act, 1884. Police alleged the three had rented the land and were operating the factory illegally as part of a criminal conspiracy for financial gain, disregarding mandatory safety norms and placing workers' lives at risk.

15 separate teams from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, Local Crime Branch Units of Zones 5 and 8, and the Ramol Police surveillance squad were formed to trace the accused. Ramila and Sadiq were apprehended within hours. Mehul, who police said was present at the factory when the blast occurred and was himself injured, fled the scene. He was tracked down and arrested from the Sabarmati area on Sunday. Police said Ramila suffered ruptured eardrums in the explosion.

During questioning, investigators learnt that some customers had paid advances ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. The source of the explosives and the nature of the alleged partnership between Mehul Dodia and Sadiq Saiyed are under further investigation. Investigators are also examining the role of the landowner, financiers, and those who placed orders for the firecrackers.

The blast triggered overnight joint inspections by city police, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and the Fire Department. Two operational firecracker factories were found in agricultural fields in Gyaspur and Narol. Both were sealed, and their stock was seized and destroyed with water. Inspections are continuing across city and rural areas, where several similar units are suspected to be operating.

Government Relief and What Comes Next

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for every injured person. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

Police Commissioner Gahlaut indicated that investigators would ensure all FSL and police evidence is incorporated into the charge sheet at the earliest, so the case can proceed swiftly to trial. The blast has prompted calls for a comprehensive audit of firecracker manufacturing units across Gujarat, and investigators say anyone else found responsible will be named as an accused.