An explosion at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli has claimed 4 lives. According to reports, the factory located in the Sankaran Kovil area went up in flames on Friday after crackers manufactured inside the building burst accidentally.
Sources say that the factory manufactured fancy varieties of fireworks which were higher in chemical content, and as a result burnt for longer hours. The building was on fire for nearly an hour before the fire department could successfully douse the flames.
At the time of writing, five people were confirmed dead while several others have sustained injuries and have been admitted to different hospitals. The death toll, however, may rise as it is unclear how many people were trapped in the building at the time of the fire.
“We are still collecting information on the casualties. Last we heard that more than 4 persons have passed away. All the injured have been shifted to different hospital and are receiving treatment,” an officer in the Tirunelveli SP office told TNM.
Out of the 4 casualties, 3 are women. Three of the victims - Karuppayi, Periyasamy and Mariyammal were admitted to the Kovilpatti government hospital. While Mariyammal passed away after failing to respond to treatments, the other two have been shifted to the Tirunelveli Government Hospital. Information on the other injured are yet be received.
Reports have also stated that the fire force could not enter the building due to relentless flames which were caused by the burning of fancy crackers.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy announced relief for affected.
"I convey my deepest condolence and sympathies to the families of the four persons who died in the fire accident. Rs 1 lakh will be given to the families of those who passed away. For the severly injured, Rs 50,000 will be provided and Rs 25,000 will be given to those who have sustained minor injuries," his statement read.