HAVERI: Firecrackers worth about Rs 1.5 crore went up in smoke after a fire broke out at a cracker shop while welding work was being carried out at near Aladakatti village in the taluk on Tuesday.
Four two-wheelers were also gutted in the incident and the welder, Wasim Harihar (32), also sustained injuries in the back after a fall and has been shifted to a hospital.
Locals were shocked due to the loud sounds of the firecrackers going off in the shop belonging to a person from Sathenahalli. The firecrackers had been brought from Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu to be sold during Ganesha Chaturti and Deepavali festivals. Two fire tenders were pressed into service and were battling the blaze for over four hours.
Deputy Commissioner Raghunandamurthy visited godown and said they are examining if the owner had a permit. If no permit was obtained for storing the firecrackers, legal action will be taken, he said. Police Superintendent Dr Shivakumar Gunare was also present.
Meanwhile, three people who were working in the godown are untraceable and their phones are switched off, raising concern. They were identified as Dyamappa Olekar, Ramesh Barki and Shivalinga Akki. The Haveri Rural police were at the spot.