13 burned, seven injured in firecracker explosion at Attibele-Hosur border

At least 13 people were burnt to death and seven others were injured in a major explosion during the offloading of firecrackers at Attibela near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border on Saturday. The injured have been admitted to two hospitals and one is critical, said BR Ravikanthe Gowda, IGP, Central Range.

About 20 people were working in the crash and some of them were missing. “A search is now on to trace them,” said Mallikarjuna Baladandi, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru district.

Nine fire brigades joined the Attibela police and local residents to put out the fire. Several vehicles parked next to the godown were also destroyed.

While FSL is yet to determine what led to the accident, it is suspected that a spark from an electrical wire in the cabinet led to the fire.

Mr. Gowda said security operations to check firecracker shops in and around the city ahead of Deepavali would be launched soon.

While at least 13 people died in a major flash fire at Attibela near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border on Saturday, the search for others who were still missing continued till late night.

Most of the godown workers were from Vaniyambadi and Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu. A significant number of them are also believed to be from Ammapettai village in neighboring Dharmapuri district.

With Deepavali around the corner, the firecrackers hub for Bengaluru has become operational, attracting workers from across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

A falling firecracker was gutted and some adjoining shops and nine vehicles near it were damaged when a fire accidentally broke out at an incinerator on the Attibele-Hosur border while unloading cracker cartons. More information: https://t.co/LHNa7PklEa
Video: Special arrangement pic.twitter.com/toea18IIa0

— The Hindu-Bengaluru (@THBengaluru) October 7, 2023

Vehicle remains and crash after Saturday’s explosion in Attibele. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Happy escape

According to sources, three workers of the group – Bhimarao Ramji, Lokesh and Adhi – had a lucky escape as they stepped out before the fire broke out.

The truck driver and godown owner, identified as Ramaswamy Reddy, were injured in the accident and were taken to hospital along with others. The charred remains of the victims were taken to a hospital in Attibele.

The police arrested Naveen, son of the godown owner. An FIR has been registered against the owner at the Attibele police station.

Several vehicles parked next to the crash were also engulfed in flames. The explosion was so loud that people in nearby shops and residential buildings ran outside, eyewitnesses said.

Rescue work is underway at the site of Saturday’s fire in Attibele. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

A spark from a wire?

While FSL authorities are yet to ascertain what led to the fire, it is suspected to have been started by a spark from an electrical wire in disrepair. Police officers are waiting to interview the injured to learn more. Police are also checking whether the shop had all valid NOCs.

The fire, which broke out at around 2.30pm, was brought under control several hours later, with more than 100 fire and rescue crews and police working together. During the operation, shops and houses in the vicinity were evacuated and the entire area was sealed off. Police were also diverting traffic onto the highway as the accident site was close to the road.

Smoke billowed from the scene of Saturday’s fire in Attibele. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Compensation

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who visited the accident site late at night and announced a compensation of ₹5,000 to the family of each of the victims, said Deputy Commissioners and police have been instructed to ensure security measures at firecrackers and shops.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who condoled the death of people in the accident, said he would visit the site on Sunday.

He said on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) that he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news of the tragedy. “My thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the deceased workers.”

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced ₹3,000 as compensation to the family of the deceased, ₹1 lakh to the grievously injured persons and ₹50,000 to the injured persons from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

Illegal storage?

Senior fire and rescue officials said the crash where the fire started was illegal because the owner did not have a license to store crackers and explosives. “During unloading, unscientific handling of crackers led to the explosion of one of the boxes. The fire department will file a report against the owner, on the basis of which criminal proceedings will be initiated,” the official said.

Published – 07 Oct 2023 17:32 IST