Nine dead in fire mishap at Tamil Nadu cracker unit

At least nine people, including three women, were charred to death and four others sustained injuries on Friday when a fire broke out at a cracker unit in Vozhukucherri taluk near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

Fire and rescue personnel were pressed into service immediately to prevent flames from spreading to the adjacent sheds. The injured have been admitted to a nearby government hospital.

“The accident occurred around 3 pm when workers were busy in the cracker unit. We are yet to ascertain what exactly sparked the explosion. The police are investigating,” Tanjavur District Collector N Subbiayan told Deccan Herald.

Five people died on the spot and four died on the way to the hospital. The injured have been admitted to the hospital and are out of danger, he added.

Police sources said preliminary investigation revealed that a short circuit might be the reason behind the mishap. “However, a detailed probe has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the fire,” a senior police officer said. No one has been arrested so far.

According to industry statistics, nearly 250 people have lost their lives over the past 13 years due to accidents in cracker units.