Palakkad: In a tragic mishap at a cracker manufacturing unit at Cherpulassery in Palakkad, five persons were killed when the unit caught fire on Saturday afternoon. The unit caught fire at about 12.15 in the afternoon. Two persons were killed on the spot and the rest were confirmed dead on way to hospital.

According to latest reports, there were 10 people working in the unit at the time of the mishap. One of the deceased has been identified as Mustafa from Cherpulassery. He is the son of the unit owner Oukan Muhammed.

The unit functioned from a hill top, 4 kms from Cherpullaserry. As only a narrow road leads to the unit, the fire engine was able to reach the spot anly after half an hour. The fire was brought under control only after 2 hours.

Two of the victims who sustained burn injuries are reported to be critical and were taken to the Perinthalmanna private hospital and Kozhikode Medical College hospital. Many of the injured have sustained over 75 percent burn injuries.

Police along with four Fireforce units doused the fire, fighting for over an hour.