Three dead, six injured in explosion

Thrissur, May 4( UNI) Three people were charred to death and six others injured grievously after a cracker store for the famed Thrissur pooram gutted in a fire following an explosion near here this evening, police said.

Scattered parts of two bodies were found, but yet to be identified, and the rescue personnel were still searching for the third person presumably dead after the storehouse, at Akkaraparambu near Pudukkad, was reduced into a heap of debris.

The injured were admitted to the Medical College Hospital here.

There were 13 workers in the store where preparations were on for tomorrow's sample fireworks ahead of the Pooram on May 7.

The exploded materials were owned by the Paramekkavu temple, one of the two prominent sides for the Pooram, to be used for the sample fire works with the permission of the Additional District Magistrate.

The windowpanes of the nearby houses were also damaged following the powerful explosion. The dispensary of the Viyyur Central Jail also was damaged in the impact of the explosion.

The authorities have suspended the proposed sample fireworks scheduled for tomorrow following the incident. The fire fighters and police were still searching in the site, police said.

UNI XR JA VS2003