At least five people were killed and several others injured after an explosion and fire tore through an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Vastral area on Saturday, 18 July, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The blast, which occurred on Ramol-Gatrad Road behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp, was heard several kilometres away.

What the Prime Minister Said

In a message issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives. 'Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap at a fireworks factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,' he said.

Modi announced that 'an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased,' while the injured would each receive Rs 50,000.

Scale of the Blast and Rescue Operations

The explosion caused extensive structural damage to the premises and triggered a fire that required multiple fire engines to bring under control. RAF personnel, firefighters, and police responded immediately, evacuating the injured and combing through debris for anyone trapped inside. Cooling operations at the site continued well after the flames were doused.

The injured were taken to L.G. Hospital and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Senior officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and city police monitored rescue and relief operations throughout the day.

Illegal Operation Under Scanner

Police said preliminary investigations indicate the factory was operating without valid authorisation. According to reports, investigators identified the operator as Mehul Dodiya and alleged that manufacturing activities were continuing despite the cancellation of the unit's licence. Authorities have initiated a formal investigation into both the cause of the explosion and the circumstances under which the unit was allowed to function.

Notably, illegal firecracker units in densely populated urban corridors have been a recurring source of industrial disasters across India. This incident underscores the challenge authorities face in enforcing factory licensing norms, particularly in peri-urban industrial clusters.

What Happens Next

Investigators are expected to examine whether local oversight mechanisms failed and whether other unlicensed units operate in the Vastral vicinity. The Gujarat government is also likely to face questions over regulatory enforcement in the wake of the blast. Families of the deceased will be eligible to receive the PMNRF assistance once documentation is processed by the local administration.