At least 12 people including six women were injured, some of them seriously, when a powerful blast took place inside a firecracker factory in Barpeta town on Monday evening.  

The entire factory caught fire after the explosion. The explosion also damaged stored firecrackers. The explosion was heard kilometres away, local residents said.

Fire tenders and rescue teams were deployed for the rescue operation. The blast is being investigated.

Local administration asked the health department to provide the best possible treatment to the injured free of cost. The injured were admitted to Barpeta medical college hospital.

The government directed both the civil and police administration to extend all possible help to the victims' families.