Tripunithura: The Fire and Safety Department official revealed that the firecracker storage unit involved in an explosion on Monday was operating without permission here. 

Earlier today, a person died, and three people sustained critical injuries in an explosion that broke out after firecrackers exploded and caught fire in Tripunithura.

The incident took place when the firecrackers brought from Palakkad for the Puthiyakavu Temple festival were, according to reports, unloaded from a vehicle to the warehouse located near the temple in Choorakkad in Puthiyakavu area.

The blast damaged two vehicles and about 25 houses near the storage unit. The injured have been shifted to Ernakulam General Hospital and Kalamassery Medical College. 

Tripunithura Fire and Rescue Unit Assistant Station Officer revealed that firecracker manufacturing or storage units should not operate in such populated areas. 

"The fire force unit is situated barely 500 meters away from the site of the explosion. After hearing the sound of the blast, we rushed to the area. By the time we reach here, the fire had started to spread to nearby houses and shops," an official said. 

The fire force officials revealed they were unaware that an explosive storage unit was functioning in the area.