A devastating fire at a matchstick godown in Pandavarmangalam near Kovilpatti on Monday claimed one life and left two others critically injured. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m., when flames engulfed the storage unit, triggering an explosion within minutes.

The deceased has been identified as Karthick, 27, from Vijayapuri, who was reportedly unloading matchsticks from a cargo vehicle when the fire broke out. He was trapped inside the godown and died on the spot. The injured — Sudalaimuthu, 42, from Peranayakkanpatti near Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, and Ganesan, 47, from Kerala — sustained severe burns and were shifted to Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital for treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that both are in critical condition.

Fire and safety personnel from Kovilpatti battled the blaze for four hours before bringing it under control. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and are yet to confirm whether the godown had the necessary license to operate.

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Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed condolences over Karthick’s death and announced financial relief of Rs 4 lakh for the bereaved family. He also sanctioned Rs 1 lakh each for Sudalaimuthu and Ganesan to assist with medical expenses.

Sources noted that Karthick had celebrated a betrothal function just four days prior, adding to the tragedy’s emotional weight. Police continue to investigate the incident to determine accountability and the sequence of events leading to the explosion. Officials have urged caution in handling flammable materials and stressed the importance of proper licensing and safety protocols for industrial units storing combustible items like matchsticks.

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