Sivakasi, Sept 20: A devastating explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit in Sevalpatti village, Vembakottai block, left one person dead and another critically injured on Thursday. The deceased, Govindaraj (25), hailed from Ammaiyarpatti village, while Gurumurthy (19) from Tiruthangal suffered severe burns.The explosion, which occurred in the chemical mixing room of the licensed unit, completely destroyed the building. District Fire Officer A. Vivekanandan and officials from the departments of Revenue, Police, Industrial Safety, and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation conducted an investigation on-site.
According to Vembakottai Station Fire Officer P. Sundararajan, the fire brigade swiftly responded to a call at around 10 a.m. Govindaraj’s charred body was discovered under the rubble, cleared with the help of two earthmovers. Govindaraj, an auto driver who regularly transported raw materials for the unit, had his vehicle overturned in the blast.
Gurumurthy, who suffered burns on 70% of his body, was rushed to Sivakasi Government Hospital for treatment.
Following a complaint by the Sevalpatti Village Administrative Officer, the Vembakottai police filed a case against the owner of the unit and the foreman. The foreman, Kapilraj (30), was taken into custody for further questioning as investigations continue.