NAMAKKAL: Three people, including a couple and a worker, died when a country cracker explosion brought down a two-storey building at Pandamangalam near Paramathi Velur in Namakkal district on Tuesday evening.The deceased have been identified as M Rajasekaran, 53, his wife Sathiya,45, and worker Malar, 38. All were residents of Pandamangalam.Rescue operations continued late into the night amid fears that more people could be trapped under the debris.According to the Paramathi Velur police, Rajasekaran was a licensed manufacturer of country crackers used for temple festivals and local celebrations.On Tuesday evening, Rajasekaran, Sathiya and two workers, including Malar, were engaged in manufacturing crackers on the terrace of the building. A stock of country crackers suddenly exploded. The blast caused the upper two floors of the building to collapse. Rajasekaran, Sathiya and Malar died on the spot. Rajasekaran’s son, Sanjay, 22, who was on the ground floor, escaped with minor injuries.The explosion damaged at least four neighbouring houses, shattering windowpanes and triggering panic among residents of the locality.Speaking to reporters at the spot, Namakkal additional deputy superintendent of police N Balasubramanian said, “A detailed investigation was under way to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and verify compliance with licence and safety conditions.”
