The Sivakasi Town police have arrested the manager and foreman of the cracker unit of Standard Fireworks in connection with the Saturday’s fire accidents that injured eight workers, including four women, at Viswanatham.
The arrested are M. Sekarapandian (33) and R. Kannan (50). The police said that the owner of the unit, Subhasingh Chelladurai, cited as prime accused, was yet to be arrested.
The police have booked them under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code for negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance and causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety and provisions of Explosive Substances Act.
Meanwhile, the condition of five of the injured is said to be critical. While G. Pandi (26), L. Gurusamy (65) have been admitted to a private hospital in Madurai, the remaining have been admitted to the Government hospital here.
The condition of N. Kannan (45), M. Subbulakshmi (57), P. Pappa (35), P. Avudaiyammal (55), and P. Andal (55), who have sustained 80 per cent to 100 per cent burns, are said to be critical. The workers were injured when sparks while cutting fuses triggered a ball of fire in one of the working sheds at the unit, the Inspector of Police, T. Balamurugan, said.
