At least five persons, including three women workers, were killed at Nagamuthu Fireworks situated at Vetrilai Oorani, near Sivakasi here on Saturday.
According to reports reaching here, there was a fire call at 11 a.m. following which fire tenders were rushed from Sivakasi and surrounding pockets.
When contacted, Virudhunagar District Collector A. Sivagnanam, said that so far four bodies were recovered and the fire had been put out. Four injured persons have been rushed to the Government Hospital for treatment for burns.
A police officer supervising the rescue operation said that preliminary investigations suggested that while moving the chemicals from one shed to another, the friction generated in the process had resulted in a fire. As it spread, the shed collapsed and five persons, said to be working there were instantly killed.
At the time of the fire accident, at least 30 persons were said to be engaged in different activities. On hearing the huge noise and fire billowing out from the premises, other workers ran to safety.
Senior police officers have rushed to the spot.
