Cracker unit raid: One succumbs to burns in Tamil Nadu

A village administrative officer, one of the eight who suffered serious burns after a fire broke out during a raid at an illegal cracker unit near Sattur in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, has succumbed to his injuries, police said today.

Kumaraswamy, Sattur village administrative officer, who was part of the team which raided the unit where wicks stored in a room caught fire, died late last night, sources said.

The officials were conducting raids in and around Virudhunagar and Sivakasi following reports that illegal cracker manufacturing units and godowns were being operated at several places.

The condition of seven others, including a police inspector, was stated to be serious, police said.

The fire had broken out in "Karunthiri" (wick) storeroom of the unit at V Duraisamypuram when the officials were conducting the raid yesterday.