Major explosion at fireworks unit near Sattur in T.N.; over 15 sheds razed

Fire and Rescue Services personnel and fire tender units from Sattur, Sivakasi, and Vembakottai were pressed into service as early as 7 a.m.

A major explosion was reported at a private fireworks unit at Keezha Odampatti, near Sattur, in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday (September 28, 2024), bringing down as many as 15 sheds.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel and fire tender units from Sattur, Sivakasi, and Vembakottai were pressed into service as early as 7 a.m., and over 10 emergency service ambulances were deployed by the authorities.

Senior officials from the Police, Fire, Revenue, and Transport departments were present at the accident site.

The officials said the unit was owned by a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) functionary named Kandasami, who hails from Viswanatham in the district. The firecrackers were to be despatched via trucks ahead of the Deepavali festival to various destinations during the course of the day. The workers were giving final shape to the fireworks by way of packaging and other operations when the accident occurred.

The handling of chemicals

Some workers were handling chemicals inside the shed from 6.30 a.m., according to the officials. Reportedly, at around 7 a.m., a spark was triggered when raw materials were being moved.

The fireworks unit has a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur, and manufactured crackers and fancy fireworks that had sound and light variants.

According to a police officer, 10-20 workers from north India were staying on the premises of the fireworks unit. “Whether they were inside at the time of the explosion or not could not be ascertained due to the heavy smoke that was billowing from the buildings....” he said, adding that the firefighters could not enter the premises as there were a series of blasts.

The firefighters would be able to step inside the buildings only after the fire has been brought under control, the officer said.

The police have arrested the manager of the fireworks unit.

Published - September 28, 2024 10:42 am IST