Sivakasi: One person was killed and five sustained grievous injuries in a blast when they were involved in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers in a house at Pathuvai Nagar in Tiruvallur Colony near Sivakasi on Tuesday.
The police identified the deceased as Nathan (30) from Thiruthangal, who died after he was rushed to hospital. The four other workers - N.Muthapandi (19), G Mariappan (58), Jeya Jeyapaul (32) and Ayyappan (62) from the same village sustained more than 80 percent burn injuries. The police sources said they were battling for their lives in the super-specialty burns ward at the Sivakasi Government Hospital. “The condition of the four is very critical. We can't say anything till tomorrow," sources in the hospital revealed.
Irudayaraj (45), who suffered 40 percent burn injuries, was out of danger. The police source said S.Selvam, the owner of the newly constructed house, had engaged the six workers in manufacturing fancy firecrackers illegally in the house. He was not in the house when the blast took place around 10.15 am.
"It is suspected that the blast might have occurred due to friction of chemicals used in the making of firecrackers," said an official source. They were involved in making fancy firecrackers like aerial items such as whistling rockets using potassium perchlorate. Manufacturing of fireworks requires licensing under Explosive Act, 2008; so too possessing and using chemicals such as sulphur and potassium perchlorate needs licensing under the Arms Act. "But in this case, both the rules were violated blatantly, said the source.
Making of firecrackers at home is a rampant practice in Sivakasi and nearby areas. "Even after the Madras High Court bench in its recent order directed the revenue and police officials to strictly enforce the regulations, they are not following it," said a senior officer on condition of anonymity
The police have booked a case against Selvam under various sections of IPC including 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (11) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The police are searching for him.
