3 killed in Sivakasi fire mishap

Three persons were today charred to death and an equal number suffered burns in a fire mishap at an illegal cottage fireworks unit, barely three weeks after a devastating blaze in a cracker unit claimed 39 lives.

The mishap occurred at a cracker manufacturing unit in Vijayakarisalkulam near here, police said.

Today's incident comes about three weeks after a major fire in a cracker unit at Mudhalipatti near Sivakasi, the country's fireworks hub, claimed 39 lives.

Police said crackers were being made in a house without permission. The authorities have intensified checking of fireworks units for strict adherence to the government norms and guidelines following the September five fire.

As per rules, even storing chemicals used for manufacturing crackers was not allowed inside any house, official sources said.

The injured had been admitted to hospital, police said.