Firecrackers worth lakhs destroyed in fire

THENI Firecrackers worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a shop at Kamatchipuram near Chinnamanur in Theni district on Friday night. According to police, four persons, including a female worker, escaped with only minor injuries. The firecracker shop was said to be owned by Alagu.

Ahead of Deepavali, firecrackers worth several lakhs of rupees were stocked in the shop and an adjacent godown. When the fire triggered explosions in the shop and godown, the workers and the customers ran for safety. Some of the customers who had come to buy firecrackers for Deepavali alerted police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who rushed to the spot.

The injured workers were taken to Chinnamanur Government Hospital for treatment. Fire and Rescue Services personnel put out the fire after some struggle. The police are investigating.