Two loadmen were critically injured in a fire accident at a match factory in Karisalpatti near here on Tuesday.

The injured, B. Subbusamy (35) and S. Athiappan (30), both from Tuticorin district, were admitted to the Tirunelveli Medical College hospital in serious condition.

The police said that the duo was loading matchsticks after dipping for packing at a unit in Kovilpatti, when fire broke out around 11:30 am. Fire tenders from Sattur put out the flames in the van that was partially destroyed.

According to the police, friction between the matches is suspected to have sparked the fire. The Elayirampannai police are investigating.

While Subbusamy sustained 100 per cent burns, Athiappan is said to have 80 per cent burn injuries, Sattur Tahsildar, P. Annalakshmi, said.

(This news report was first published in The Hindu online edition of December 24, 2013.)

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