Blast at TMC leader's home in West Bengal raises safety questions

A violent explosion ripped through the home of West Bengal Trinamool Congress leader Dwijen Mandal in the Lalpol area of Baruipur on Friday, reducing the ground floor to rubble and causing significant damage to surrounding structures.

The blast was severe enough to impact multiple residential properties in the neighbourhood. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene following reports of the explosion, and initial efforts focused on assessing the extent of damage and any potential casualties.

Police investigators have initiated a preliminary inquiry into the cause of the explosion. Initial assessments point to the possibility of a cooking gas cylinder rupturing, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. However, local residents have alleged that the residence may have contained a large quantity of explosives, raising questions about how such materials could be stored in a residential area.

The incident has sparked concern among residents in the densely populated neighbourhood. Authorities have cordoned off the affected area and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause and circumstances of the blast. Further details about potential injuries or the full extent of structural damage were not immediately available.