4 killed in firecracker blast near Namakkal – Times of India

MOHANUR (NAMAKKAL): Four people including three women died and eight others were injured after a firecracker blast ripped through a house at Mohanur village in Namakkal district Saturday.
The deceased were identified as K Thillaikumar, 35, his wife Priya, 30, his mother K Selvi, 55, and their neighbour Periyakkal, 73. Thillaikumar’s four-year-old daughter, who was among the injured, escaped with minor burns. The condition of four of the other seven who are undergoing treatment at Namakkal Government Hospital is said to be critical.
Crackers stocked at owner’s house illegally
S Suresh, Namakkal sub-division DSP, told TOI Thillaikumar was a licensed trader who owned Thillai Fireworks at Mohanur with a godown at Olapalayam village, but “stocked the crackers in his house without permission.” Preliminary inquiry revealed that Thillaikumar had purchased the firecrackers from Sivakasi recently.
Around 3am, the firecrackers began to explode. “Thillaikumar’s house and five others nearby went up in flames and were damaged,” the DSP said, adding that three of the four bodies were recovered from under a pile of debris. Thillaikumar’s body was found in a house 50ft from his residence. Four LPG cylinders in the six houses too exploded. As many as 60 houses were partially damaged.
Fire and rescue services personnel from Namakkal, Mohanur and Karur stations arrived along with the Mohanur police.
Rajya Sabha member K R S Rajesh Kumar, forest minister M Mathiventhan, Namakkal MLA P Ramalingam and district officials visited the spot. They also went to the government hospital and consoled the victims.
A case has been registered and further investigation is on. Chief minister M K Stalin announced 2 lakh for the families of the deceased family and 50,000 for each of the injured.