Nalanda, Bihar: At least five people were dead and 25 injured in a blast atan firecracker factory in Nalanda district of Bihar on Friday. Five housesnear the factory were severely damaged due to the blasts.

The injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment. Seventeen peopleare in a critical condition.

The incident took place on Friday morning, around 5 am.

A team of police and fire tenders arrived on the spot immediately. It tooknearly 2 hours to bring the fire, due to the blast, under control.

The firecracker factory is based in Jalalpur area of the district. Theexact cause of the blast has not been ascertained till now.

Shock-waves from the blast could be felt within the 1 sq km radius from thespot.

Nalanda DM and SP visited the injured in the incident in the hospital. “Aninvestigation has been launched into the incident. Accused persons will bearrested,” they said. The police station in-charge has been suspended.

An eight-member team of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) visited the spot in toinvestigate the blast.