Four persons, including a minor girl, were killed in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit at Angalankuruchi, near Pollachi, in Coimbatore district on Thursday.
Police said the unit, which was earlier operating at Kottur with authorisation, shifted two months ago to its present location, for which its application for permission was still pending.
The house, located on the Pollachi-Valparai Main Road, was destroyed. Body parts were found as far away as 50 metres. The walls of two nearby houses collapsed.
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Palanisamy, the house owner, leased it out to Alagusamy, 70, who was in the firecracker trade. He procured explosives from Dindigul.
The police have identified the deceased as Prabhakaran, 40, his wife Kavipriya, 23, Jayashree, 14, and Alagusamy.
Jayashree, a school student, had come to work as it was her summer holidays.
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Kavipriya and Jayashree died on the spot.
Prabhakaran and Alagusamy were brought alive out of the debris. However, they died of injuries at the Government Hospital at Pollachi.
Police sources said this was one of the seven units operating with permission at Kottur Malayandipattinam in Pollachi. As these units were buying less than 15 kg of explosives per transaction, they needed only permission from revenue officials. Those purchasing over and above this limit had to seek the permission of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, working under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry to regulate the sale and use of explosives, petroleum products and compressed gases.
On condition of anonymity, some firecracker unit owners said explosives were mostly transported through private couriers without safety norms being followed. Some schoolchildren and minors were frequently employed in these units, local residents said.
Superintendent of Police M. Sudhakar told The Hindu that the cause of the explosion was yet to be ascertained. It could have been caused by either leakage of gas or chemicals stored in the house. Various sections of the Explosives Act were invoked.
Inspector-General of Police (West Zone) S. Davidson Devasirvatham inspected the spot. Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Police personnel have cordoned off the area.
The Aliyar police have registered a case and are investigating.