Haveri firecracker godown blaze put out after 14 hours, 4 bodies of workers recovered

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.

District in-charge Minister Shivanand Patil and Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed inspecting the damage.

“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.