4 killed in explosion at licensed cracker unit in Virudhunagar
MADURAI: Four workers were killed and two others injured in an explosion on Wednesday at a cracker unit at Vallampatty village of Panayapatti panchayat, Vembakottai taluk in Virudhunagar district. It’s the second such accident that occurred this a month in the district.
The deceased have been identified as K Kasi (40) of Kannakudumbampatti, K Senthil (35), A Karuppasamy (40) of Vijayakarisalkulam and Ayyamaal (48) of Komingapuram.
The injured were M Muniyasamy (45) of Manjal Odaipatti, who suffered 60 per cent burns and was referred to Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai from Sattur GH and Saraswathi (40) of Kombu Lingapuram with fractures on both of her legs is under treatment at Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital after being referred from Kovilpatti GH, sources said.
Collector J Meghanatha Reddy said it’s a licensed unit and improper handling of chemicals meant for manufacturing crackers could be the cause behind the accident.
District Fire Officer K Ganesan said the fire call was received at 7.30 am, following the explosion. The accident occurred when the ill-fated workers entered the factory premises early to make a fuse for joint-crackers, which was banned.
The room had chemical substances left already without connecting it to fuses by some workers. Normally, such chemicals should be connected with fireworks fuses together without causing delay.
Vembakottai Station Fire Officer S Kanthaiah said three fire tenders from Vembakottai, Sattur and Sivakasi rushed to the spot and watered the debris to prevent any further blasts. A chemical mount wall room got completely demolished in the impact, he said.
Sources said buyers during early days of January would place orders to buy crackers at a reasonable price. Based on a complaint, Elayirampannai police have filed a case.