Chinayatapalem: Explosion at illegal firecracker unit leaves 1 dead, 3 injured

A 38-year-old man was killed and three others injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit on the outskirts of Chinayatapalem village in Anakapalle district.

The explosion took place at 9 am on Tuesday when workers were busy making the crackers.

Due to the impact of the blast, the roof of the unit caved in. Villagers immediately rushed to the and informed the police and the fire service personnel. Locals said the explosion has once again exposed the illegal firecrackers unit in the village.

The deceased has been identified as B Mahesh, 38. Police said all the three injured have been shifted to hospital where the condition of Kamalamma alias Lakshmi is stated to be critical.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a piece of land on the outskirts of the village was given on lease to A Varaha Trimurthula Naidu from Anakapalle.

Naidu with the support of a few others hired some people for manufacturing the firecrackers illegally. The illegal unit has been operating for the past three months.

``We are yet to ascertain the exact reasons for the explosion. We suspect that the explosion was the result of the improper mixing of the chemicals at the unit,'' police said.

Locals said that over eight to ten illegal firecracker units have been operating in the Anakapalle district.

Police have registered a case and the investigation is on to nab the prime accused in the incident.

Around two years ago, two persons were killed and five others injured in an explosion in an illegal firecracker unit at Gullipalle village under Sabbavaram Mandal.