Three workers killed, seven sustain burns in a blast at fireworks unit near Sivakasi

Fire and Rescue Services personnel at the fireworks unit, where the blast was reported, at M. Pudupatti village near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district 
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

At least three workers, all women, were killed in an explosion at a private fireworks unit at M. Pudupatti village near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district on Saturday (April 26, 2025).

Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services Departmentsaid that after receiving a fire call around noon, over 50 firefighters from three fire stations in the district rushed to the spot.

Debris from the explosion
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Initial inquiries revealed that a person named Jaishankar owned the licenced fireworks unit. There are over 100 sheds at the unit, and at the time of incident, at least 50 workers, including women, were on the premises. Firefighters said the bodies of those killed were beyond recognition, and that several rooms of the fireworks unit were filled with smoke.

A senior fire officer supervising the rescue operation said that improper handling of chemicals may have caused the spark and subsequent fire. The exact number of casualties will be known only after the fire is extinguished and the smoke brought under control.

Debris from the explosion
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Virudhunagar district Sub-Collector Priya Ravichandran, PESO officers, and Revenue Department officials were at the spot. The police cordoned off the premises as the flames had spread to the surrounding areas. Blasts were reported in a few sheds too.

The seven persons who have been injured were rushed to a government hospital. A doctor said a few of them had suffered over 40% burns.

Further investigation was on.