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Kolkata: At least four people, including three women, died in an explosion at an “illegal” firecracker manufacturing unit in Nadia district of West Bengal on Friday, police said.
Another woman suffered injuries in the explosion at the factory located in a congested residential area of Rathtala in Kalyani, they said.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
"Four persons were rescued from the blast site and later declared dead when taken to the nearby JNM Hospital. The condition of the injured woman is critical," a senior police officer said.
The factory owner has been arrested, he said.
"Those killed were workers in the factory," the officer said, adding, the cause of the blast is not yet known.
A team of forensic experts has collected evidence from the spot, he said.
A blaze that erupted in the unit and damaged a portion of it following the explosion was brought under control by firefighters, after around one-and-a-half hours, police said.
Talking to reporters, a senior official of the fire department said no licence was issued to the factory and it was operating without necessary approvals.
The West Bengal government has also sought detailed reports from the district police administration and the district magistrate in connection with the explosion.