A 41-year-old man was killed and four persons, including a woman, sustained serious injuries when powerful crackers they were making inside a house in neighbouring Chinna Kalapet exploded today, police said.
Kandan, his wife Selvi and three workers, including one Mannangatti, were engaged in making the crackers in the house when they exploded.
An LPG cylinder kept in the house also burst and under the impact of the explosion some of the adjoining house also collapsed.
All of them were immediately rushed to a private hospital where Mannangatti succumbed.
At least eight houses in the vicinity developed cracks following the explosion and six vehicles parked outside were also damaged.
The reason for the explosion is yet to be ascertained, police said.
