Sivakasi:
Three persons were killed and 13 seriously injured in a blaze that swept through a private fireworks factory after an accidental explosion at Singampatti today.
Police said the fire also resulted in a series of explosions in the unit.
Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured after battling the flames and explosions, which kept them at bay for more than half an hour.
The injured have been admitted to the Sivakasi government hospital.
Police said an enquiry was on.
This is the second such incident in a fireworks unit this year near Sivakasi. Eight persons were killed in a blaze at a unit at Naranapuram on April 24.
Meanwhile, two persons were arrested for trying to illegally smuggle chemically prepared wicks used in crackers at nearby Vachakarapatti and four bundles seized from them.
Their arrest followed a check of their bike based on a tip off that such wicks were being supplied to illegal units in villages, police said.