Ahmedabad, India—The blast tore through the temporary tin shed at 3:30 pm on Saturday, flattening the illegal firecracker unit on the Ramol-Gatrad Road. Nearby residents reported hearing a thunderous boom that shook structures in the vicinity of the Rapid Action Force camp. Emergency responders arrived to find the facility engulfed in smoke and debris, with victims trapped beneath the wreckage.

Nine people were confirmed dead at the scene or shortly after arrival at local hospitals. Six others sustained severe injuries, including burn wounds and blunt force trauma. Medical teams at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and LG Hospital are currently overseeing their stabilization. The death toll reflects the volatile nature of the materials handled inside the makeshift shed.

Local police investigations revealed that the unit had been operating without a valid license since March. Despite previous closure orders, the facility’s partners allegedly resumed manufacturing operations approximately twenty days ago. Workers were reportedly brought in from the Dahod district to staff the production line while security forces were focused elsewhere.

Evidence collected at the site points to a spark during the handling of explosive chemicals as the likely catalyst for the fire. Forensic teams spent the morning sifting through the charred remains to confirm the ignition source. The site lacked basic fire safety measures, contributing to the rapid spread of the blaze.

The landowner and financial backers of the unit have been brought into the ongoing probe. Police arrested three primary partners late Saturday night on charges related to culpable homicide. Investigators are tracing the supply chain of the raw explosive materials recovered from the property. They are also reviewing records of previous inspections conducted by local authorities.

Victims’ families began arriving at the city morgue on Sunday to claim the remains. Many of the deceased were migrant laborers seeking temporary employment. Financial assistance packages have been announced by both state and national leadership, though they provide little solace to those mourning the loss. The process of victim identification remains ongoing.

Security personnel maintain a tight perimeter around the blast site. The area has been declared a hazard zone due to the presence of unexploded firecracker components. Officials have warned locals to stay clear until the site is fully cleared of dangerous materials. Cleanup crews are expected to arrive by Monday morning.

The incident has triggered a city-wide review of industrial compliance in non-permitted zones. Police commissioners have ordered a crackdown on similar makeshift manufacturing setups operating under the radar. The focus remains on accountability and the prevention of future tragedies in residential and semi-industrial neighborhoods.