Athani (Kerala)/Madurai (TN): Ten people were
killed in two fire accidents at cracker factories at Athani in
Thrissur district in Kerala and in Madurai district in Tamil
Nadu.
Six persons died in the Athani cracker manufacturing unit
while as many persons are undergoing treatment for burns
they sustained. At least 12 persons were suspected to be at
the unit when it caught fire around noon. One of the deceased,
Bablu, hailed from Bihar.
A huge quantity of explosive substance was stored in the
unit, which was yet to start manufacturing operations, police
said.
At Madurai, four persons were killed and two others
injured when fire broke out at a fire cracker unit at V
Sockalingam Patti in the district. Police said electrical
short circuit could have triggered the fire.
Police sources said while two bodies were recovered from
the accident spot, two of the injured succumbed in hospital.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a solatium of Rs
one lakh each to the families of the deceased persons and Rs
25,000 for those injured.
At Athani, police and fire force personnel found it very
difficult to reach the spot as the unit was at a remote spot
in a rubber estate in a hilly area. The condition of some of
the injured was critical, they added. Even as the fire tenders
tried to douse the fire, explosions could be heard, preventing
police and fire force personnel from nearing the spot.
Many houses were damaged and several rubber trees in the
estate were burnt in the incident.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 17:25