At least four people, including a child, were killed and four others sustained severe burn injuries after a fire broke out at a firecracker factory in Jaipur’s Khoh Nagorian area on Tuesday morning, officials said. The blaze erupted around 11 a.m. at a unit located near ITI College in the Ayesha Nagar Talai area.
Fire and rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the flames and evacuate those trapped inside. One of the deceased has been identified as Abdul Wahid, while the identities of the other three victims are yet to be confirmed.
The injured have been identified as Nasir Khan (23), Samir Khan (30), Bilal (30), and Aadib (25). All four have been admitted to SMS Hospital, where doctors described their condition as critical. According to Dr R.K. Jain, Plastic Surgeon at SMS Hospital, Samir and Nasir have suffered approximately 95 per cent burns.
Bilal sustained 75 per cent burns, while Aadib suffered 65 per cent burns. Jaipur Collector Sandesh Nayak said the fire appears to have been triggered by highly inflammable material stored inside the factory. A large quantity of firecrackers, reportedly intended for wedding celebrations, was reduced to ashes in the blaze.
Investigators found burnt packaging bearing the name "Kohinoor" among the debris. An LPG cylinder stored inside the premises was also removed during the rescue operation, preventing a potentially larger disaster. Officials estimate that eight to ten people were present inside the factory when the fire broke out.
Hashim Ansari, a local resident who joined the rescue efforts, described the horrifying scene. "I received a call about the fire and rushed to the spot. A water tanker was brought in, and I entered with the hosepipe. I managed to pull out three or four people and they were taken to the hospital in ambulances," he said.
"Others were still trapped inside. The fire became so intense that they could not be saved. While trying to rescue them, our clothes caught fire and I suffered burns on my leg," Ansari added. The incident sparked sharp political reactions, with Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi questioning how a firecracker and gunpowder unit could allegedly operate in a residential area.
"Did the police not know that a gunpowder warehouse was functioning in a residential locality? Who is pressuring local residents into silence? There are still no answers about who owns this factory," Kagzi said. Visiting the hospital, the MLA alleged that the unit was operating illegally and hinted at possible collusion.
Kagzi also questioned attempts to shift focus from accountability, saying that regardless of where the victims came from, every life lost in the tragedy was valuable. Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal and DCP (East) Ranjeet Sharma reached the site soon after the incident.
Senior police and administrative officials inspected the premises and began an investigation into the cause of the fire and the factory's operational status. Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
In a statement, Meena said he had spoken with disaster management officials and directed authorities to ensure swift relief and rescue operations. He also instructed officials to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
Authorities are now investigating whether the factory possessed the necessary licences and safety clearances, while questions continue to mount over the circumstances that led to the deadly explosion and fire. Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also expressed condolences.