Kodungaiyur bakery toll rises to 5: Owner succumbs to burns

The bakery owner Anandan (30), a native of Thoothukdi district and his relative Maghilavan (20), a native of Dharamapuri district and an employee at the bakery, died without responding to the treatment. The total death toll in the accident has now gone up to five.

According to Kodungaiyur police, at least 14 more are in a critical condition at the hospital, as they had suffered more than 50 per cent burns. Around 50 people got injured when the gas cylinders burst, after a fire in the bakery at Kodungaiyur on July 15. 

Ekaraj (56), a fireman, died on the spot as firemen were trying to douse the flames inside the bakery. The blast was so powerful that the roller shutter of the shop shattered, injuring many curious onlookers, many of whom were allegedly trying to take selfies with the fire as the background. Among the nearly 50 people who suffered injuries, 19 persons suffered over 50 per cent of burns.

Paranthaman (67), from Appar Street, Kodungaiyur, who had suffered 82 per cent burns died late on Saturday night and on Sunday morning another injured Abimanyu (40), of KKT Nagar, was declared dead. He also had suffered about 80 per cent burns, police said.

Initial reports suggested that the onlookers crowded around the rescuers and firefighters, impeding the work of the firefighters.