CHENNAI: The collapse of a building at West Mambalam on Sunday, after fireworks stored there exploded, has again brought to focus the danger posed by such illegal storage.

Besides arresting the owner of the two-storeyed building where the crackers went off, injuring four persons, the police have been asked to step up vigil and unearth unauthorised stocking of fireworks, says a city police officer. Senior State police authorities had instructed subordinates to keep a watch, particularly during the Deepavali season. However, stray incidents kept happening. Storing fireworks in large quantities in unauthorised places and residential areas and stocking above the prescribed limit, disregarding safety norms, call for a multi-disciplinary approach a police officer said.

He said the police check premises where explosive material is legally stocked every three months. It is an uphill task to keep a tab on each and every premise unless it is brought to the police's notice.

That such storing of explosive material is done in residential areas is a matter for concern, be it for festive purposes or for use in the shooting of films. The structural stability of buildings where such material is stored should also be considered. It is here that the public can cooperate with the police by passing on information. Storing a large quantity of fireworks in shops also poses a grave danger.

In the West Mambalam incident, a case has been registered under the Explosives Substances Act for negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter and under the City Police Act. The owner of a fireworks shop in George Town, where a fire broke out late last month, also faces a similar charge.

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