Kozhikode house explosion: Police arrest accused in illegal firecracker case

Kozhikode: Police have arrested one person in connection with the explosion at a house in Kurikkathoor near Kunnamangalam, which claimed two lives during alleged illegal firecracker manufacturing.

The accused, Vishnu, a native of Mundikkal Thazham in Kozhikode, had rented the house where the illicit activity was being carried out. He was present at the premises at the time of the explosion on Saturday.

Vishnu, who sustained injuries in the blast, was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and taken into custody shortly after. His arrest was formally recorded by Kunnamangalam police on Sunday morning. Another individual, identified as his friend Hijith, has also been named as an accused in the case.

The explosion occurred around 10 pm on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Rahul (26) from Parammal, Ramanattukara, and another Rahul (27) from Puthiyottumethal, Mundikkal Thazham. Vishnu is the brother of one of the victims. His wife, Simi, was also injured in the incident.

Illegal activity ‘an open secret’, say investigators

Preliminary investigations suggest that the illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was widely known in the locality. Police inspections at the site revealed large quantities of dried palm leaves, used for making traditional firecrackers, stacked in the compound.

The materials had been collected over several months from different locations. The house is situated about 200 metres from Kurikkathoor town, along a narrow road leading to Peruvazhikadavu.

Despite being in a residential area with closely built houses and minimal boundary walls, the scale of operations appears to have gone largely unchecked. Locals are said to have frequently noticed palm leaves being brought in, cut into size during the day, and even taken away for use as firewood.

Police have launched a detailed probe, focusing on local residents and visitors to the house. As part of the investigation, details of several vehicles that frequented the premises have been collected.