Athani (Ker)/Madurai (TN): Nine persons were killed in two different fire accidents at cracker factories at Athani in Thrissur district in Kerala and in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu.
Five persons were killed and seven others suffered serious burn injuries when a cracker manufacturing unit caught fire and exploded at Athani in Kerala’s Thrissur district today.
At least 12 persons were suspected to be at the unit when it caught fire at around noon. Police sources said one person was missing.
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 caused the incident.
The deceased in the Athani fire accident were identified as Vasu Pilla (48), Bablu (45), Anil, Radhakrishnan and Joffy (34), son of the owner of the cracker unit.
Bablu hailed from Bihar, police said.
The godown and cracker unit is located in a remote hilly area of a rubber estate. The spot can be reached only by foot.
Police sources said while two bodies were recovered from the accident spot, two of the injured succumbed in hospital.
The condition of some of the injured was critical, they added. (PTI)