Cracker shop fire claims six lives, 50 hurt

Kozhikode, Apr 5 (UNI) Six people were charred to death and about 50 others injured, in a major fire that swept through the busy Sweet Meat Street in the city this morning.

Police said the bodies were found at different places in the godown of Kerala Stationery, a wholesale cracker shop, where the fire erupted at around 0930 hrs.

Police identified two of the victims as shop owner K P Apputty (81) and Bindunlal (17), a labourer. Four other bodies were yet to be identified, they said.

The injured were admitted to Kozhikode Medical College and other nearby hospitals.

About 20 adjoining shops were gutted, while another 30 to 40 were partially destroyed in the tragedy, they said, adding the quantum of damage was yet to be worked out.

Stating that the exact cause of the fire had not been ascertained, police said they suspected foul play in the accident as there was a loud noise before the fire.

People thronged the cracker shop as well as SM Street in large numbers in view of the harvest festival 'Vishu', falling on April 14.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who visited the spot later in the night today said the government would order a probe into the tragedy very soon.

Meanwhile, the Kozhikode Corporation had announced Rs 25,000 relief to the kin of the deceased and Rs 10,000 to the injured persons.

UNI