Warangal: As many as nine persons were killed and four grievously injured when fire broke out at the Bhadrakali Fire Works – a cracker manufacturing unit at Keerthinagar in Geesukonda mandal on Wednesday.
The unit reportedly had 15 employees at the time of accident, while three others came to buy the crackers. Fire broke out under mysterious circumstances killing eight people on the spot while five were rescued by the local persons around 11.30 am.
The whole of the tin shed and walls collapsed completely and everything was gutted totally. The scene presented a pathetic picture with limbs of victims severed and flung far away while others were charred beyond recognition. The officials who swung into action could not agree on the number of casualties as none has a clue as to how many people were actually inside the unit when the fire broke out.
Earlier reports suggested 11 people were killed.
District Collector M. Haritha said the unit employed around 20 people. According to her 10 could have died and one or two may be found under the debris. “We are undertaking rescue operations. The earth movers are removing debris now,” she said.
Meanwhile, city Police Commissioner V. Ravinder said they retrieved eight bodies from the scene and there could be more under the debris.
The unit belonged to one Gunapalli Kumar and is said to be possessing license. He was the biggest supplier of fire crackers in the district, the officials said. He was absconding at present.
Four fire tenders and earth movers were deployed at the scene. The locals said they heard high decibel sound for over 20 minutes and even as they came to terms the entire premises was turned into ashes.
Those injured were identified as – Kondapally Suresh (25) and K Sridevi (36) who are in critical condition with serious burn injuries and B Ravi (28), Bandela Sarangapani (45) and Salendra Siva (30). They were being treated at the MGM Hospital.
Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari came to the spot and took stock of the situation. He said the government announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to those who died and full assistance to the families. The government would provide free medical care to those injured. “We will shift the grievously injured to Hyderabad for better medical assistance,” he said.
Legislators D. Vinay Bhaskar, Ch Dharma Reddy, Konda Surekha and Aruri Ramesh too visited the spot.
(The Hindu)