Concern over perils of handling explosives in makeshift units

Death of two in explosion at firecracker unit at Palode

The destruction of a firecracker- manufacturing unit at Palode in a lightning-triggered explosion on Wednesday, in which two were killed, has raised concerns over the perils associated with handling inflammable raw materials in makeshift facilities. The weather condition that prevails in the district poses a graver threat for these units, authorities fear. Lightning had struck the open shed where Sylus, 67, of Meenmutty, near Nanniyode, operated a firecracker-manufacturing unit on a rubber plantation at Choodal around 3.30 p.m. on Vishu Day on Wednesday. One of his workers, Susheela, 58, of Choodal, died on the spot, while Sylus who sustained high-degree burns died at the Government Medical College Hospital here around 10.30 p.m. Susheela’s husband Sukumaran had a miraculous escape after he ran away from the shed when the lightning struck. The casualty would have been much higher had the other six workers turned up for work on the fateful day. They could not report for work owing to the heavy downpour that lashed the region.