Worker charred to death in fire at cracker unit

The police said that a group of five workers were engaged in mixing highly inflammable chemicals for making a fancy variety of crackers in the factory when fire broke out and engulfed one of the mixing unit of the factory. While four workers managed to escape from the spot, Mayazhagan was caught in the fire and charred to death. The fire was followed by huge explosions and destroyed three units.

One worker succumbed and four others fell ill after inhaling poisonous gas at a private chemical factory in the Ranipet SIPCOT industrial estate late on Monday night.

Police said that poisonous gas suddenly emanated from a pipe near the spot in the factory, where the five workers, identified as Sukhendar (27), Raja (38), Surender (29), Udayakumar (48) and Marimuthu (36) were working. Sukhendar was from Bihar and the other four were from nearby villages. Sukhendar was the first to fall unconscious after inhaling the gas. The other four tried to rescue Sukhendar, but they also fainted.

Sukdhender succumbed after admission to the private hospital while the other four were referred to another private hospital in Vellore. SIPCOT police have registered a case in this connection.