CHENNAI: Two workers died and another suffered grievous injuries during a boiler blast at a soap manufacturing unit in Ambattur on the outskirts of the city. Immediately after the incident that took place on Wednesday night, the police arrested the owner Lakshman Rao and manager of the firm Ramesh on charges of causing death due to negligence. Police said the incident took place at the manufacturing unit — Suraa Sulphates – located at Sector 3 in Ambattur Industrial Estate (North) around 11.30 pm on Wednesday and three of the six who were working at that time suffered grievous injuries after the boiler blast that is suspected to have happened due to a “manual error”.
Ranjan Kumar (24), a migrant labourer from Odisha and Murugavelu (35), of Manavur, who were admitted with 80 per cent and 95 per cent burn injuries, succumbed on Thursday morning, while the condition of Vedamoorthy (45), who suffered 45 per cent burn injuries, was critical. “The company is into manufacturing potassium silicate which is used as a raw material to manufacture soap. An employee reportedly operated the valve of the boiler without gauging the pressure that was being built up, which we suspect to be the reason behind the blast,” a senior police official told DC. The official, however, added that the incident would not be passed off, as a simple technical fault, and the compliance in respect of the safety measures will be examined.
Murugavelu’s sister Indirani said her brother was called to duty on Wednesday despite it being a holiday on account of Muharram. “Since he earns only Rs 8,500 per month, he went to work despite it being a holiday. He is the lone breadwinner of the family,” she said, adding that her brother is survived by his wife, and two children.
