Three of a family killed, 3 others hurt as crackers explode in house

Rajamahendravaram:  Three persons including two women died and three others of the same family sustained burns when crackers exploded while they were manufacturing them in their house at Subbarao Nagar here late on Friday night. The injured were shifted to government headquarters hospital immediately. The police suspect that the incident took place because of electric short circuit.

Devada Mutyam Reddy (50), an auto driver, was manufacturing the crackers along with his family members for Vinayaka Nimajjanam programme and for ensuing Diwali festival also. At about midnight, suddenly the crackers exploded with huge sound creating panic in that area. Hearing the sound, the nearby residents informed the police and fire station. The fire tenders and police rushed to the spot and after some time the fire personnel controlled the flames.

Mutyam Reddy earlier used to make crackers and stopped it for some days and again started it.  Mutyam Reddy’s wife Devada Dhana Lakshmi (45), his mother Devada Surya Kantham (70) and son Devada Vinay Reddy (26) died in the explosion. While Mutyam Reddy, his elder son Durga Reddy and nephew Karri Vaishnavi (16) sustained burns and are undergoing treatment at government headquarters hospital.

Hearing the news, urban MLA Dr Akula Satyanarayana, rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary, Godavari Urban Development Authority chairman Ganni Krishna, Eluru range Deputy Inspector General of Police T Ravi Kumar Murthi, urban SP Shemushi Bajpayee, DSPs J Kula Sekhar, Nagaraju, Bharat Mataji and others rushed to the spot. DIG Ravi Kumar Murthi said steps will be taken to check the unauthorised cracker manufacturing units and action will be taken. 

M Lakshman, a resident of the locality, said a major mishap was averted as the neighbouring houses were pucca buildings. He stressed the need for not allowing manufacture of crackers in residential areas. Prakash Nagar inspector Surya Prakash registered a case and is investigating. Eluru range DIG T Ravikumar Murthi suspended Prakash Nagar Inspector SB Rao following the cracker explosion on Friday night