Kollam fire: Government sends team to probe storage of firecrackers

NEW DELHI: Government has rushed the Chief Controller of explosives safety organisation PESO to probe the use and storage of firecrackers at Puttingal Devi Temple complex in Kollam where 102 people have died and over 280 injured in a major fire.

"Instructed the Chief Controller of Explosives (PESO) to rush to the #KeralaTempleFire site to check on legal/illegal storage/ use of... firecrackers/explosives," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

Controller of explosives, Kochi has reached the spot and the controller from Chennai will also join in, she said in series of tweets, adding that officials of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), DIPP will work closely with district authorities to establish facts.

The fire broke out in Puttingal Devi Temple complex during a display of fireworks for which there was no permission was given by the authorities, according to Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.

The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room 'Kambapura' and the firecrackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise.