Three charred to death in Sivakasi factory fire

Three persons were charred to death and 13 seriously injured in a blaze that swept through a private fireworks factory in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu after an accidental explosion.

Police said the fire also resulted in a series of explosions in the unit.

Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured after battling the flames and explosions, which kept them at bay for more than half an hour.

The injured have been admitted to the Sivakasi government hospital.

Police said an enquiry had been launched into the reasons for the fire.

This is the second such incident in a fireworks unit this year near Sivakasi. Eight persons were killed in a blaze at a unit at Naranapuram on April 24.

Meanwhile, two persons were arrested for trying to illegally smuggle chemically prepared wicks used in crackers at nearby Vachakarapatti and four bundles were seized from them.

Their arrest followed a check of their bike after police received a tip-off that such wicks were being supplied to illegal units in villages, police said.