A devastating fire at an illegal firecracker fuse manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district claimed the lives of two minor boys from Assam on Friday evening. The incident has exposed a blatant case of illegal industrial activity and child labor in a hazardous workplace.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal accident occurred at a farm located on the Sirukulam-K Mettupatti road near Sattur. The deceased have been identified as Shakibul Ali, aged 16, and Zaithul Hussain, aged 15. Preliminary police investigations revealed a shocking deception: the owners had obtained official permission to run a drinking water treatment plant in the building but were instead using the premises for the illegal manufacture of firecracker fuses.
The unit is allegedly owned by Kavitha, wife of Saravanan from Nathathupatti. It employed a few guest workers from Assam, who were operating machinery to produce the highly inflammable cracker fuses. Critically, the owners had illegally employed minors in this dangerous environment.
How the Fire Broke Out
The tragedy unfolded on Friday evening while the workers were engaged in production. According to authorities, a spark was triggered by an electrical short circuit in the room. Given the extremely flammable nature of the materials used in making cracker fuses, the fire spread instantly and with intense ferocity.
Both Shakibul Ali and Zaithul Hussain were charred to death on the spot before they could escape. The Sattur fire brigade and police personnel rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze. The bodies were recovered and sent to the Sattur Government Hospital for autopsy.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police Kannan conducted an immediate inquiry into the incident. Following this, the Appayanaickenpatti police have registered a case and are conducting detailed investigations. The probe will focus on multiple violations, including:
- Operating an industrial unit without proper licenses.
- Misusing a permit granted for a water treatment plant.
- Employing underage children in a hazardous occupation, which is a serious offence under child labor laws.
- Alleged negligence leading to the fatal accident.
This incident highlights the grave risks faced by migrant and minor workers in unregulated and illegal industries. It raises serious questions about regulatory oversight and the enforcement of safety and labor laws in the region.
