A blast was reported at a fireworks factory in Barshi taluka of Solapur district on Sunday afternoon. (Express Photo) Three persons died and four persons got seriously injured in a major fire and several resultant blasts at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Barshi taluka of Solapur district Sunday, the Solapur district police said.
Officials from Solapur District Collectorate and Rural Police said the incident took place around 2.30 pm at the fireworks manufacturing which was running from makeshift sheds next to an agricultural field in Shirola village of Barshi taluka in Solapur District.
Shirish Sardeshpande, superintendent of police for Solapur rural, said: “Three persons are reported dead, and three more were critically injured in the fire. Rescue and relief operations are currently on. Teams from the local police, fire brigade, and other emergency response entities reached the spot after the incident.”
The identities of the deceased persons and the injured were being ascertained, he added.
Smoke billows from the fireworks factory in Solapur’s Barshi that caught fire on Sunday. (Express Photo) Solapur Collector Milind Shambharkar said that of the four injured persons, two were discharged and two others referred to the Osmanabad Hospital for treatment.
“Tomorrow onwards, we will investigate the incident as well as working of the unit,” Shambharkar said.
Intense smoke billowing from the area was visible from far.
As the fire was being brought under control, search for casualties was simultaneously conducted. Multiple subsequent blasts of firecracker powder were posing difficulties for the responders, the officials said.
Asked about the possible cause of the fire, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jalindar Nalkul said, “A probe is being conducted to ascertain how the fire started. Our initial priority was a search and rescue operation and ensuring medical aid to all the affected.”
Nalkul said the police will investigate whether the unit had all the requisite permits and safety measures in place.