This story is from September 13, 2018

Three killed as crackers explode while unloading them

Three killed as crackers explode while unloading them
Erode: Three people were killed and nine houses damaged after crackers brought from Sivakasi exploded while unloading them in the city on the early hours of Wednesday. Three vehicles – two mini trucks and an autorickshaw – were also destroyed in the incident.
The deceased were identified as S Karthick Raja, 23, of Valaiyakkara Street in the city, V Murugan, 36, and P Durai, 33, of Erode city.
Karthick Raja, police said, was a fourth-year engineering student of a private college.
According to an investigation officer, Karthick’s father Sukumaran owns a grocery shop adjacent to their two houses at Sasthri Nagar area. “Sukumaran usually sells crackers during Diwali. This year too he purchased 15 boxes of crackers from Sivakasi in advance as they are cheaper now.”
The crackers reached the city in two mini trucks on Wednesday early morning. The blast took place when Karthick, along with load man Durai and van driver Murugan, was unloading the cracker boxes from the mini trucks.
“Fire suddenly erupted from one of the boxes and spread to the remaining boxes. While Durai and Murugan were charred to death, Karthick got stuck amidst the debris and died later,” the Surampatty police said.
Due to the impact of the explosion, nine houses in the area were damaged. While the mini trucks were completely destroyed, an auto parked near the area was partially damaged in the incident.
When alerted, divisional revenue officer Kavitha, additional deputy superintendent of police Santhana Pandian, deputy superintendent of police Radhakrishnan and other officials visited the spot and initiated an inquiry.
Fire and rescue services personnel were, meanwhile, pressed into service and they put out the fire after two hours of struggling.
The Surampatty police have registered a case and further investigation is on.
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