Kerala: 2 killed in cracker shop explosion in Cherthala

Two persons including a woman were killed in an explosion at a house where a cracker shop functioned at Cherthala near here today. The deceased were identified as Suryapalli Thomas, stated to be the owner of the house, and a helper woman Manniamma, police said.

House was damaged in the explosion and fire that followed. Thomas died on the spot and woman succumbed to her burn injuries on the way to hospital, police said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.