Warangal: Ten workers were roasted alive and several others suffered critical burns when fire broke out in Bhadrakali fire works godown at Kashibugga area in Kotilingala village of Warangal district this forenoon. The bodies of the deceased were strewn all over the place.
According to reports, the fire occurred at 1.30 pm and Fire Service personnel rushed to the spot trying to douse the inferno. The deceased were identified as Vinod, Radhika, Yellamma, Ashok, Raghupathi, Kanaka Raj, Shravani, Srivani, Manemma and Harikrishna. The bodies and injured were shifted to the MGM government hospital. The entire village plunged into a sea of gloom after the tragic incident. Two fire tenders were pressed into service. As the fire was still raging, additional fire tenders were rushed to contain the fires that dotted the devastated fireworks factory premises.
Reports said over 20 people entered the godown for cleaning purpose and after some time huge flames erupted in the godown. Immediately, eight workers managed to escape from the spot miraculously. The news of deafening sound of a blast of crackers spread like wild fire sending shockwaves among the people in the village. Witnesses said they heard huge blasts prior to the fire and several houses were damaged. Higher police and revenue officials visited the spot and launched relief operations. Local MLA Challa Dharma Reddy, District Collector Haritha, Police Commissioner Ravinder and several other officials inspected the area.
The entire roof of the fireworks godown was blown off and its structure flattened. Ten two wheelers and a car parked near the factory were also burnt. An SUV car had its windows blown off and its body suffered severe damage.
Most of the victims were daily wage workers from very poor families. Witnesses said the damage could have been more had the fire spread to a cooking gas cylinder godown near the firecracker godown. An one old woman living in an asbestos sheet roof house was admitted to the hospital from injuries suffered from flying pieces of the roof which too was destroyed by the impact of the blast. (NSS)
