Death toll reaches 10 in Sivakasi fire

Madurai, July 21 (ANI): Three more persons who were injured in a blaze at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Virdhunagar district died at government hospitals in Madurai on Tuesday, taking the death toll in the incident to 10.

Thirteen others are still battling for life.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has ordered an inquiry by the revenue divisional officer into the fire and instructions were issued to monitor the fire safety measures installed in fire works units in the state.

Police said while two persons died at the Sivakasi Government Hospital, one died at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai on Tuesday morning. Fabulous trance

More than 30 persons sustained injuries in the fire on Monday at Namaskarichanpatti.

The license of the fireworks unit had been suspended, Karunanidhi said.

He announced that a solatium of one-lakh rupees each to the next of the kin of those killed, 50,000 rupees to those seriously injured and 25,000 rupees who received 30 per cent burns.

The management of the factory had announced a solatium of 2 lakh rupees each to the next of the kin of those killed besides 10,000 rupees for funeral expenses.

Police said cases under various sections of IPC and Explosives Act were registered against owners of the factory. (ANI)