Champahati firecracker factory blast injures 5, two critical in Bengal
Synopsis
A suspected illegal firecracker unit in Champahati, South 24 Parganas, blew up on 20 August, leaving five injured — two critically. Police are now probing whether the house, allegedly disguised as a fish business, was secretly manufacturing unauthorised explosives, adding to a troubling pattern of such blasts in Bengal.
Key Takeaways
An explosion at an alleged illegal firecracker unit in Champahati , South 24 Parganas , injured five people on 20 August .
Padmarani Naskar (52) and Abbas Gazi are in critical condition; all five were shifted from Baruipur hospital to a Kolkata facility.
Local residents allege the house belonged to Bapi Naskar and was used for illegal firecracker production under the cover of a fish business.
Additional SP Atish Biswas led the on-site inspection; the fire brigade was also deployed.
Police are investigating the cause of the blast and whether unauthorised explosive materials were stored at the premises.
An explosion at an alleged illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Champahati, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, injured five people on Thursday, 20 August, police officials confirmed. Two of the injured are in critical condition, identified as Padmarani Naskar, 52, and a man named Abbas Gazi.
What Happened
According to local sources, a loud blast ripped through a house in Champahati where firecrackers were reportedly being manufactured. All five injured were initially rushed to Baruipur hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Kolkata given the severity of their condition. The explosion triggered widespread panic in the surrounding area, drawing crowds of residents to the site.
Allegations of Illegal Firecracker Production
Local residents have raised serious allegations that the house where the blast occurred was being used as an illegal firecracker-making facility. A section of the community claimed that a person identified as Bapi Naskar had constructed the structure in a forested area at some distance from the main locality, ostensibly under the cover of a fish business. Investigators are examining whether explosive or flammable materials were stored on the premises and whether unauthorised firecracker production was indeed taking place.
Police Response and Investigation
A large contingent from the Baruipur Police District was deployed swiftly after news of the incident broke. Officers led by Additional Superintendent of Police Atish Biswas inspected the blast site and examined materials recovered from the house. The fire brigade was also alerted and dispatched to the location. Police have stated that the definitive cause of the explosion has not yet been established, and a thorough investigation is underway into the materials stored and activities conducted at the site.
Pattern of Firecracker Blasts in Bengal
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. West Bengal, particularly the South 24 Parganas district, has witnessed a series of firecracker-related explosions over the years, many linked to unlicensed manufacturing units operating clandestinely. Authorities have repeatedly faced criticism for inadequate enforcement against such units, which often function under the guise of legitimate businesses. The latest blast is expected to renew pressure on the state administration to act against illegal pyrotechnic operations.
Condition of the Injured
Of the five injured, Padmarani Naskar and Abbas Gazi remain in critical condition as of the latest reports. The remaining three injured persons have not been formally identified in official statements. Medical teams at the Kolkata hospital are monitoring all five patients. Further updates on their condition are awaited.
Point of View
If verified, points to sophisticated concealment, not opportunistic rule-bending. State authorities must answer whether intelligence on such units exists and, if so, why action is taken only after casualties.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Champahati firecracker explosion occur?
The explosion took place at a house in Champahati, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on 20 August. The house was allegedly being used as an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit, according to local residents.
How many people were injured in the Champahati blast?
Five people were injured in the explosion. Two of them — Padmarani Naskar, 52, and Abbas Gazi — are in critical condition and are being treated at a hospital in Kolkata.
What is the suspected cause of the Champahati explosion?
Investigators believe the blast may have occurred during the illegal manufacture of firecrackers. However, police have stated that the definitive cause has not yet been confirmed and a full investigation is underway.
Who is leading the police investigation into the blast?
Additional Superintendent of Police Atish Biswas led the initial on-site inspection. A large contingent from the Baruipur Police District is investigating the materials stored at the house and the activities conducted there.
Is illegal firecracker manufacturing common in South 24 Parganas?
South 24 Parganas has a history of firecracker-related explosions linked to unlicensed manufacturing units. The latest incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement against such operations in the region.
