Deesa Factory Fire Prompts Statewide Firecracker Inspections

Ahmedabad, Gujarat : In the wake of the devastating fire at a Deesa firecracker factory that claimed 21 lives, Gujarat’s Home Department has mobilized a sweeping crackdown on illegal firecracker operations across the state. Meanwhile, the owners of firecrackers factory in Deesa GIDC known as Deepak traders–Deepak Mohanani and Khubchand Mohanni–have been arrested by the police 

Police have been instructed to conduct thorough inspections of all firecracker manufacturing units and storage facilities, with orders to immediately shut down those operating without proper licensing or found violating safety regulations.

The tragedy has exposed alarming regulatory gaps in the industry, with family members of victims alleging that workers were specifically recruited from Madhya Pradesh to manufacture “twine bombs” at what officials initially described as merely a storage godown.

“There was not only a godown where the accident took place, but firecrackers were being actively manufactured there. People are being misled about it being just a storage facility,” said a grieving family member who lost a relative in the blaze. “Workers were deliberately brought from Madhya Pradesh to make twine bombs.”

Investigations have revealed a potential Ahmedabad connection in the illegal operation. According to sources close to the investigation, aluminum powder—a key component in firecracker production—was being supplied by an individual identified only as “Agarwal” from Narol, Ahmedabad. This material was allegedly being used to manufacture firecrackers without any government authorization.

The Deesa Collector, addressing a press conference, confirmed that police have formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. “When we inspected the location, the godown appeared empty. Our team documented the site through videography and photography. Preliminary findings suggest that firecracker materials had arrived at the factory within the last 15 days and were being stored illegally,” the Collector stated.

Of the 21 fatalities, 18 victims were from Madhya Pradesh, primarily from Dewas and Harda districts. After completing necessary post-mortem procedures and obtaining family identifications, authorities have transferred these remains to the Madhya Pradesh government for return to their hometowns. Six additional people injured in the fire are receiving medical treatment—three in Deesa, two in Palanpur, and one in Ahmedabad.

Balwatsinh Rajput, the minister in charge, refuted allegations of administrative failure during a press conference. “Whoever is responsible for this accident will face consequences. The owner of the firecracker facility has already been arrested,” he emphasized. Balwantsinh also dismissed claims that authorities had delayed releasing victims’ bodies to families, explaining that standard procedures were followed to preserve remains while ensuring proper identification.

Both the state and central governments have announced financial assistance packages for victims’ families. The Gujarat government has pledged ₹4 lakh to each bereaved family, while the central government will provide an additional ₹2 lakh. Injured survivors will receive ₹50,000 from state funds to support their recovery.