Man killed in cracker godown explosion in Puducherry

In a freak mishap, a 41-year old man died after being hit by rubbles from an adjacent godown where stored crackers exploded near here today, police said.
Crackers worth several lakh of rupees was stored in the tin-roofed godown at Manaveli village abutting the Chunnambar backwaters.
The victim identified as Ameer and a plumber by profession had gone to the backwaters to answer the nature's call when he was hit by the flying rubbles from the building and the explosive content which had burst forth.
"He was dead in the impact instantaneously. He had some cardiac ailments. Doctors opined that his ailments might have also been a factor in his immediate death," Circle Inspector, Ariyankuppam, (Puducherry Rural), S Palanivelu told PTI.

"Bags containing crackers were stacked up too tightly in a small godown measuring about 10 x 10 feet. Several reasons including humidity and heat appears to have built pressure which led to an explosion," he said.
He, however, said a probe was still on in the incident. "We are on the lookout for the owner of the godown."
At the time of the mishap, there was no one else in the vicinity.
He said that only a few days ago, the Superintendent of Police convened a meeting of traders to sensitise them on the need to follow guidelines to ensure safety in view of coming Deepavali festival when the sale of fireworks peak.