A massive explosion rocked an illegal firecracker warehouse in a residential area near Tripunithura on Monday, killing one person and injuring 16 others, including women and children, police said.

The four injured were reported to be in serious condition and were rushed from a nearby hospital to Kalamassery Medical College for expert treatment.

The deceased was identified as Vishnu from Thiruvananthapuram, according to the district administration, but other details were not immediately released.

More than 25 nearby houses and some shops were severely damaged, and two vehicles were completely charred in the explosion.

Although the specific cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, fire and rescue personnel who rushed to the scene said that a large number of firecrackers transported to the warehouse were suspected of exploding together.

A senior official from the fire and rescue department confirmed it was a huge explosion and the vibrations could be felt several kilometers away.

He said the shock was felt even by the local fire department, which was alerted by the huge explosion and rushed to the scene.

The fire was quickly brought under control but had caused severe damage to the neighborhood and surrounding areas, the official said.

“We are not aware of a firecracker warehouse in this densely populated area. The operator did not seek any permission,” the assistant station director told the media.

He made it clear that the specific cause of the explosion was not yet known, and they were only based on information provided by locals, saying that the accident occurred while unloading firecrackers from the vehicle to the warehouse.

“Locals said that this warehouse has been operating in the area for some time and that firecrackers are stored as part of the local temple festival. We have to verify these details. However, we have no information about its operations so far,” the official added .

Meanwhile, local residents are still recovering from the effects of the unexpected massive explosion that rocked the area.

The roofs of several two-story buildings in the area were found to be severely damaged. Doors and windows of many houses were blown out of their walls by the force of the blast, and cars parked on porches were damaged by falling bricks and tiles.

Even the tall trees were completely scorched by the fire, and the remnants of the explosion were visible several meters away.

“We lost everything… My house is completely damaged. There are no doors or windows… How do we stay here?” said a shocked local woman.

An old man shared his joy at not losing his life, while a teenage boy shivered from the impact of the massive explosion.

Authorities said they had launched an investigation into the illegal storage of large quantities of firecrackers in a densely populated residential area.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George issued instructions to ensure expert medical care to those injured in the blast.

She said in a statement that the district medical officer has taken steps to ensure necessary care to patients admitted at Kalamassery Medical College and Ernakulam General Hospital.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)