Chennai: The death toll in the fire incident in Virudhunagar cracker factory has increased to 20.
“One more person who sustained serious injuries died without responding to treatment,” sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each and Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Police said the fire broke out at Sri Mariyammal Fireworks Factory, this afternoon leading to a series of explosions, when the labourers were engaged in making fancy variety crackers.
The fire and explosions razed down ten ware houses, where huge stock of finished crackers and highly inflammable chemicals were stored.
Preliminary investigations revealed that friction while handling the chemicals was the reason for the fire tragedy.
Virudhunagar district Fire Officer K.Ganesan said fire tenders from Sattur, Vembakottai and Sivakasi rushed to the factory and extinguished the blaze.
The injured were admitted to the government hospitals at Sattur and Sivakasi.