Collector orders cancellation of license of firecracker unit after blast in Vellore

Vellore Collector P.S. Leela Alex has ordered the cancellation of license of the firecracker manufacturing unit that was operating in Chinna Anaicut village in Vellore on Thursday after an explosion in the unit killed a worker.

Revenue officials said that a team of revenue and TNPCB officials found that the firecracker unit had violated prescribed norms, including provisions for firefighting equipment and prohibition of raw materials from packed firecrackers.

Accordingly, the existing license permit of the firecracker unit, which expires in 2029, has been cancelled after the incident. Also, a special team has been formed to conduct surprise checks in the nine licensed firecracker manufacturing units in the district to inspect safety features available for workers.

On Wednesday, R. Gayathri, 41, a worker, was killed after a sudden explosion in the firecracker unit. Another worker U. Sangeetha, 45, suffered 96 per cent burns in the incident. Both workers belong to Kottaiyur village near the unit.

The workers were packing firecrackers in the unit when the explosion occurred, which is around 100 sq. ft. The entire building was razed to the ground. The godown had a huge stock of crackers used for fireworks display in rural areas, especially during festivals, and for the forthcoming Deepavali festival. 

“Sangeetha’s condition is critical. She is under ventilator support in the ICU. Her health is under observation,” said a doctor at the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore.

The Superintendent of Police N.U. Sivaraman, who inspected the accident spot, formed special teams to nab the owner of the firecracker unit S. Hari Prasad, 35, a native of Chinna Anaicut village.