Firecracker Unit Blast in Vellore Claims Two Lives, Owner Arrested

Explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Chinna Anaicut village, Vellore district, killed two workers on Wednesday. The blast ripped the building apart while workers were packing crackers, leaving the structure razed to the ground. The 35‑year‑old owner, Hari Prasad, was seized by a special Anaicut police team that traced his hideout to the Jawadhu Hills; he has been lodged in Central Prison, Vellore after a case was registered. The first victim, 41‑year‑old R. Gayathri of Kottaiyur village, died on the spot. The second victim, 45‑year‑old U. Sangeetha, also from Kottaiyur, sustained burns on 96 % of her body, was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore and succumbed to her injuries on Friday. Collector P.S. Leela Alex handed over ₹4 lakh ex‑gratia from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the families of both deceased workers. Following Alex’s orders, the unit’s licence was cancelled and revenue officials sealed the premises. ## Context Firecracker production in many parts of Tamil Nadu operates in small, often informal workshops, which can lack proper safety measures and increase the risk of accidents like this one.