Tragic fire in Sivakasi exposes dangerous safety lapses in cracker manufacturing | Chennai News

Chennai: In April, 10 people died and 12 others were injured in a fire accident at a cracker manufacturing plant in Sivakasi. After this incident, a central pollution control authority (CPCBThe team conducted an inspection of the unit on behalf of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and found a number of serious violations and safety risks.
The factory only had a license to produce sound-producing fireworks. However, the inspection revealed that illegal fireworks were being manufactured there without the necessary structural facilities. Due to lack of space, the unit stored raw materials in open areas and between sheds, violating safety norms. The CPCB report highlighted this lack of space as a critical factor contributing to unsafe conditions at the factory.
Another major safety deficiency involved the handling of paint pellets, which are known to automatically decompose. The CPCB team found that these pellets were dried in sunlight rather than shade, leading to increased fire hazards.
CPCB Regional Director HD Varalaxmi pointed out that many accidents in the industry were due to mishandling of sensitive pyrotechnic materials. She said this problem was compounded by the lack of pyrotechnic knowledge and expertise among those involved. She recommended engaging pyrotechnicians to assess and improve safety standards in the fireworks industry.
CPCB also referred to an earlier report of a panel constituted by the NGT which inspected several cracker factories in Sivakasi. The report found that current building designs cause blast waves to spread horizontally during explosions, increasing the impact on nearby structures. To address this issue, CPCB suggested that buildings have weak roofs to allow blast pressure to vent vertically, thereby reducing damage.
The court, which will hear the case again in October, directed TNPCB, state revenue authorities and the factory inspector to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a detailed report.