HAVERI: After fighting the blaze at the firecracker godown at Aladakatti on the outskirts of the town for 16 hours, firefighters finally managed to put out the fire around 4 am today. Four charred bodies of workers were also pulled out from the site.
Firecracker worth about Rs 1.5 crore went up in smoke after a fire broke out at a firecracker godown while welding work was being carried out near Aladakatti village on Tuesday afternoon. The Haveri Rural police have arrested the godown owner Kumar Sathenahalli.
Four two-wheelers were also gutted in the incident and the welder, Wasim Harihar (32), who sustained injuries in the back after a fall, was a hospitalised. The firecrackers had been brought from Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu to be sold during Ganesha Chaturti and Deepavali festivals.
On Wednesday, district in-charge minister Shivanand Patil visited the spot and examined the damage. He also heard grievances of the villagers.
“It is unfortunate that four people lost their lives and two people were injured. I have met the affected families and announced compensation. Steps should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur. A permit was issued for the building in 2020, but was not renewed, as per the deputy commissioner. The DC and the ZP CEO will conduct an inquiry and submit a report”, he said.
Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said a detailed investigation should be carried out. The BJP will provide compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the deceased, he said while expressing condolence over the tragedy.
In a statement, Basavaraj Bommai said precautionary measures should be taken to protect the lives of workers at such dangerous places and a detailed survey should be conducted about places where explosives are stored across the state. He also demanded adequate protection for labourers.