Blast in fireworks godown brings down 11 sheds

There is no casualty and the extent of loss being assessed

Crackers stored in the godown of a transport operator here went up in flames following a blast on Saturday in which at least 11 sheds were destroyed.

Police said there was no casualty and the extent of loss being assessed. Thangaraj of Anaikuttam near here owned the fireworks unit. Behind it there was a transport operator’s godown in which crackers were stored in 11 sheds and despatched to different destinations by road daily. The vehicles had to pass through the fireworks unit to reach the godown.

When workers were engaged in unloading crackers from a lorry around 11 a.m., a fire alert sounded from a particular shed. Smelling trouble, the workers in the godown and the adjacent fireworks unit ran to safety.

Though fire tenders rushed to the spot, the personnel could not go near the godown since the explosions continued with deafening noise. Since many houses were situated close to the godown, the police appealed to the inmates to move to safety.

After about four to five hours, when all the crackers in the godown exploded, the fire tenders moved inside and doused the fire by 6.30 p.m.

Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police (in-charge) M. Rajarajan visited the spot and supervised the operation.

When contacted, he said that a spark could have triggered the fire due to friction. As the fire spread, workers fled from the spot.

Amathur police have registered a case and are investigating. At least 100 workers, who were at work, escaped from the accident, police added.